French company Strong Locks has invented this V-160, a permanently-mounted bike lock that automatically snaps shut. The company reckons it's a lot easier than fussing with a D-lock or a chain.

The lock attaches to your bike's head tube with an aluminum bracket, which you secure using screws followed by tamper-resistant rivets. To lock the bike, you pop the two steel arms open with a key, then press the lock against whatever tube-like object you're locking it to. This depresses a trigger which, like a bear trap, causes the two arms to snap shut.

The convenience of this mechanism does come at a UX cost. The lock weighs 3.2kg (7 lbs), which might be more weight than you'd like to add for a daily commute. It also can't be installed if you've already got a basket or headlights attached to your head tube.

The company has also designed a T-160 model that's specifically for scooters. Both are up on Kickstarter; at press time there were 27 days left to pledge and funding had not yet reached its target.

The V-160 is going for $239 (expected retail: $359), and the T-160 for $189 (expected retail $299). If successfully funded, they'll ship in November.