Bike Theft Decriminalised
- Thread starter presta
- Start date
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OP
OP
presta
Legendary Member
The cycle racks at Chelmsford station are divided into three groups: there are ones that are open to all comers, then a group which are completely enclosed in a steel cage, and another lot indoors under one of the arches. I don't know what the charges or access arrangements are, or whether the BTP policy would apply to all equally.
It's in development, according to Co-pilot.
Same here. Generally the only times I left the bike unattended were for a few minutes whilst I bought groceries when on tour.
Psamathe
Über Member
It's an aspect I've often wondered about. I look after my bike, it lives in the house, etc. but it has no massive emotional value. Were it stolen I wonder if I'd prefer a cheque covering the replacement next day and be visiting bike shops the day after (or the process asap). Waiting a few months and then getting something back that's been treated badly, left outside through winter for 6 months, etc. and then. the insurance just say "you've got it back now so no cheque".
- Location
- Glasgow
Well, in fairness I didn't either before I started buying them
Sadly, the public by large is not really bothered, not many own or ride bikes, compared to motorists.
Now, imagine if cars got stolen with impunity, there would be an outcry!
Not very simple, sometimes it can't be helped.
The worry of your bike getting stolen puts a damper on a cycling trip, be it leisure or utility.
The main reason I cycle is for utility!
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
Id like to do more but the only real utility cycling I do is from home (secure) to the office (secure) once or twice a week (I wfh when I can). I'd rather walk the hour to town if I need anything there. On a bike I'm about 17-19mins but once there the bike goes on a train with me or I'm only cycling through!
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markharry66
Guru
I take my bike into work, I feel sorry for anyone who has to leave their bike at the station. Soon it willl be the case you wont be able to have anything expensive without it being stolen.
N0bodyOfTheGoat
Senior Member
- Location
- Hampshire, UK
Bonkers policy considering I imagine ebike commuter numbers are increasing, not that I'd be terribly happy at leaving an ebike locked in a public place all day.
ebikeerwidnes
Guru
- Location
- Z’ha’dum
comments about "if you leave a bike anywhere it needs a "Sold Secure Unobtanium" lock - preferabely 2
or it WILL be stolen
and just too extreme
walking around out high street there are generally a dozen or so bikes around
most are locked but with cable locks
some of which could be cut through with a decent pair of nail scissors!
there is a small ebike often locked up near the big shops all day - again with a cable lock but a decent one
and they are not stolen
even the ebike which is quite predictable and I assume belongs to someone who works there!
today even saw a fairly new Raleigh Motus (same make and model as mine) ebike parked outside a shop
very nice looking and clearly an ebike
just parked - no lock at all - and it was still there when I walked back a few minutes later
I can also generally walk down the high street and see at least one bike just leaning against a wall
and still being there later
now rail stations do seem to be a problem
I presume for the same reasons as the Chemistry building when I was at University
it is a dependable place where the thieves can find a lot of bikes in one place
and a lot of bike do get stolen all over
but the "IT WILL BE STOLEN" people are just exaggerating
and I do not believe it does any good to push it that far
generally if you leave it outside a station every working day of the week for several years then the chances of it being stolen get highers
but the concept of "it will be stolen" if going to far
or it WILL be stolen
and just too extreme
walking around out high street there are generally a dozen or so bikes around
most are locked but with cable locks
some of which could be cut through with a decent pair of nail scissors!
there is a small ebike often locked up near the big shops all day - again with a cable lock but a decent one
and they are not stolen
even the ebike which is quite predictable and I assume belongs to someone who works there!
today even saw a fairly new Raleigh Motus (same make and model as mine) ebike parked outside a shop
very nice looking and clearly an ebike
just parked - no lock at all - and it was still there when I walked back a few minutes later
I can also generally walk down the high street and see at least one bike just leaning against a wall
and still being there later
now rail stations do seem to be a problem
I presume for the same reasons as the Chemistry building when I was at University
it is a dependable place where the thieves can find a lot of bikes in one place
and a lot of bike do get stolen all over
but the "IT WILL BE STOLEN" people are just exaggerating
and I do not believe it does any good to push it that far
generally if you leave it outside a station every working day of the week for several years then the chances of it being stolen get highers
but the concept of "it will be stolen" if going to far
Ming the Merciless
There is no mercy
- Location
- Inside my skull
Drop your bike down your local station and leave it there for the day and see how you get on.
Time Waster
Veteran
Anyone bought a secondhand bike recently? Did you know for certain it was not stolen or did you just do due diligence and check whether bikeshepherd or other register is not showing as stolen? Does that guarantee it is not a stolen bike?
Also when you buy a component in an unbranded box, even from a reputable retailer, do you know for certain it is not from a stolen bike?
I ask these questions because all these stolen bikes are going somewhere. Not all are part of Bulgarian fencing operations and are going out east along with containers of stolen cars!
BTW this is not casting aspersions on Bulgarians it is what has happened in my neck of the woods. A massive operation was run out of my nearest city and nearby towns by a Bulgarian gang operating in the area. Buying from professional theives from local area and all the way down to Liverpool and Manchester (would be bloody Mancs I tell you 🤣). Also, a local scrap dealer gang also got raided and prosecuted then eventually deported back to their native Bulgaria.
I just think that bikes are there to be stolen and easier to do it too. As to it being theft and it is the police job to investigate them, adding on the fact they are expensive at £1-3k means nothing when the coppers don't take car thefts seriously too and they are worth a lot more than £3k!! Then again when they do not take seriously pedestrians knocked over by furiously cycling people on bikes on the rare occasion it happens. Or cyclists getting knocked over by SMIDSY drivers in their behemoth SUVs on their way on the quick sections to park in the carparks that town centres in rush hour have become. Or the rapes and sexual assualts and other incidents that are against the person not the property that IMHO make them more serious than a one to three grand bike theft from a station that would never end up in a conviction if they spent two years and a major investigation team on the case!!
Sorry, but an underfunded police force is not the problem here. It is that we do not have the means to keep our bikes safe when left in an urban area. Cars got serious with security years ago with alarms and immobilisers that take serious knowledge to beat in even the cheapest of cars. They still get stolen though. All the bike security developments are to make it take longer for the bike to be nicked. There is no real progress in bike security in itself. Perhaps the way forwards is a £10 up to £30 charge for a truly secure bike parking like urban car parks can charge?? I do not think we should push for policing priorities to be put on bikes at a station over other crimes. That POV is from a cyclist and a utility cyclist more than leisure cyclist of late.
I take my own measures to protect my bike and insure it adequately. I also match the insurance requirements to ensure the payout when ./ if it gets stolen. This last point is very significant considering insurance companies might want to reduce payouts and an easy win is failure to comply with small print. I am also fortunate in that my lock up point at work is inside a secure yard with a lot of security around. If it gets nicked there then I doubt my unsurers will complain about paying out. Also i reckon there will be a lot of CCTV that catches the act and the thief gets caught.
For others I know it is a desparate thing to know that your only lock up option is in a public and highly unprotected place. That is why I think there must be a market in cities for a higher protection level bike park. I would in such a situation begrudgingly pay a bit more for bike parks that have a very high liklihood of preventing bike theft. No idea if there is such a place anywhere in the UK. Perhaps there is overseas.
Also when you buy a component in an unbranded box, even from a reputable retailer, do you know for certain it is not from a stolen bike?
I ask these questions because all these stolen bikes are going somewhere. Not all are part of Bulgarian fencing operations and are going out east along with containers of stolen cars!
BTW this is not casting aspersions on Bulgarians it is what has happened in my neck of the woods. A massive operation was run out of my nearest city and nearby towns by a Bulgarian gang operating in the area. Buying from professional theives from local area and all the way down to Liverpool and Manchester (would be bloody Mancs I tell you 🤣). Also, a local scrap dealer gang also got raided and prosecuted then eventually deported back to their native Bulgaria.
I just think that bikes are there to be stolen and easier to do it too. As to it being theft and it is the police job to investigate them, adding on the fact they are expensive at £1-3k means nothing when the coppers don't take car thefts seriously too and they are worth a lot more than £3k!! Then again when they do not take seriously pedestrians knocked over by furiously cycling people on bikes on the rare occasion it happens. Or cyclists getting knocked over by SMIDSY drivers in their behemoth SUVs on their way on the quick sections to park in the carparks that town centres in rush hour have become. Or the rapes and sexual assualts and other incidents that are against the person not the property that IMHO make them more serious than a one to three grand bike theft from a station that would never end up in a conviction if they spent two years and a major investigation team on the case!!
Sorry, but an underfunded police force is not the problem here. It is that we do not have the means to keep our bikes safe when left in an urban area. Cars got serious with security years ago with alarms and immobilisers that take serious knowledge to beat in even the cheapest of cars. They still get stolen though. All the bike security developments are to make it take longer for the bike to be nicked. There is no real progress in bike security in itself. Perhaps the way forwards is a £10 up to £30 charge for a truly secure bike parking like urban car parks can charge?? I do not think we should push for policing priorities to be put on bikes at a station over other crimes. That POV is from a cyclist and a utility cyclist more than leisure cyclist of late.
I take my own measures to protect my bike and insure it adequately. I also match the insurance requirements to ensure the payout when ./ if it gets stolen. This last point is very significant considering insurance companies might want to reduce payouts and an easy win is failure to comply with small print. I am also fortunate in that my lock up point at work is inside a secure yard with a lot of security around. If it gets nicked there then I doubt my unsurers will complain about paying out. Also i reckon there will be a lot of CCTV that catches the act and the thief gets caught.
For others I know it is a desparate thing to know that your only lock up option is in a public and highly unprotected place. That is why I think there must be a market in cities for a higher protection level bike park. I would in such a situation begrudgingly pay a bit more for bike parks that have a very high liklihood of preventing bike theft. No idea if there is such a place anywhere in the UK. Perhaps there is overseas.
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wiggydiggy
Legendary Member
FWIW I cant leave my ebike at Leeds Station anyway as all ebikes are banned from the stands, so if it did get stolen I'd probably get told off.
Dogtrousers
Lefty tighty. Get it righty.
Makes me think that maybe e-bikes should be provided with self destruct mechanisms. If they get nicked they set fire to themselves.
Gwylan
Guru
- Location
- All at sea⛵
My thoughts exactly
