GPS/ Bike Theft

[HLaB]

I thought about posting this warning in the 'Stolen Bikes' thread but I think more people will see it here. Anyway a friend of mine in the Police posted this warning and I thought it was apt to share, particularly with cyclists down south.

For everyone's attention,

I was informed tonight that organised gangs, specialising in stealing bikes, are operating down in England. Police have seized thousands of pounds worth of stolen bikes from various locations down south. The gangs are using GPS cycling websites such as Strava, Endomondo etc, to trace the houses where they are likely to find high value bikes. I am aware that many member use such sites (I use about four!) to track their training etc. I would advise all to check their security settings and ensure that the route is not traced direct to your door (there is a setting on some to hide the route 0.5 miles from your house). Alternatively, just start your GPS down the street a bit, or outside someone's house you don't like...

I am unaware of any such activities in our area, but this is "theft season", so you never know. I have often thought that GPS cycling technology would be handy for the criminal. It appears they are using it, to great effect!

BEWARE.

 

[ColinJ]

I've pointed that out to many people in the past. I always record my rides from the car park in Hebden Bridge from which we start my forum rides.

 

[Noodley]

I have got round this by not working out how to switch on my GPS or knowing how to get an app on my phone.

 

[HovR]

I (hopefully) have my Strava set up to hide my home location. Besides, whilst my bikes are a joy for me to ride, and perfectly mechanically sound, there are faaar more valuable bikes for criminals to chase down.

 

[neil_merseyside]

I suppose the end point of a GPS route to be more accurate than any start point (of same) but I've just looked at my routes and you'd not get closer than 2-3 houses at best on most sites, and much further out - even on same site by switching sat/map/OSM, I wonder if thieves have a preferred overlay? (more of a datum problem than the GPS accuracy of course).
If the quote had been speeled mush less porrly I'd suspect a hoax ;-)

 

[biggs682]

another good reason for no trip computer

 

[summerdays]

I suppose the end point of a GPS route to be more accurate than any start point (of same) but I've just looked at my routes and you'd not get closer than 2-3 houses at best on most sites, and much further out - even on same site by switching sat/map/OSM, I wonder if thieves have a preferred overlay? (more of a datum problem than the GPS accuracy of course).
If the quote had been speeled mush less porrly I'd suspect a hoax ;-)

Surely if the thief decided to go after your bike, they would only need to go and wait on that road to see which house you came out of. And we have heard of thieves following cyclists home from places like Ashton Court (there have definitely been warnings about that around here).

 

[redcard]

another good reason for no trip computer

Its not though.

 

[ufkacbln]

Used to also be a trick with car SatNav - nick the SatNav from a car in a place like a works car park where they are likely to be away from home all day and then select the "Home" option for the address

Used to be a scam at stations and airports as well - looking at luggage tags for the home address

Same with Handbags / Walllets - one move used to be "I've found your handbag - I am in (insert town) can we meet up and I will give it back to you" to get you out of the house

Same with Facebook / Twitter / MySpace... "I'm off to Spain for Christmas - so my house is going to be empty if you fancy paying a visit"

The chances of actually being caught are fairly small, but basic precautions are simple and effective.

Personally all my ID carries is my phone number, my email address and my wife's phone number - more than enough to contact me.

 

[ufkacbln]

Alternatively, just start your GPS down the street a bit, or outside someone's house you don't like...

On the SatNav we have set the local Nick

 

[Drago]

There'll be the organised gangs no ones told the dibble about then?

 

[BSRU]

I use ridewithGPS and by default my rides are set to private.

 

[Drago]

I use a cross bow and default my burglars to Hospital.

 

[Scruffmonster]

Absolute nonsense.

 

[redcard]

I think I read about this on snopes.com