Have you experienced bike theft?

[studentforum]

Hi everyone,

A friend of my recently told me that their friend had two customized road bikes stolen from their garage. I am guessing the two bikes combined were worth over $10,000. I also read an article on a bike theft in Montreal, QC (Cyclist Michael Le Rossignol pays $400 to buy back stolen bike - Montreal - CBC News). It's crazy how often these bike thefts are happening.

I was just wondering, is bike theft a common thing that happens and have any of you ever experienced bike theft? Are there any ways of prevention? I know that the police have a bike registry, but do most people register their bikes? Also, if any of you have had your bike stolen, were you able to get it recovered?

 

[Brandane]

Deja vu! Hasn't this same post appeared before?
Anyway - my one and only experience was at the age of 15 (1977) in Edinburgh when my pride and joy Puch Alpine was stolen. I had worked all summer to repay the £45 I had borrowed from my parents to buy it new. It was recovered by the Police a few months later but it had been trashed. I tried to renovate it, but it was never the same again.

Fast forward to present day and I won't let any bike of mine out of my sight without a lock on it, and even then not for long. My spare bedroom is now a bike store for 5 bikes as I don't and won't have a shed. When I say "lock" I mean a reasonable quality cable lock as D-locks are too heavy and hassle to carry. I am aware of the limitations of cable locks but hopefully they are enough to deter casual thiefs. Professionals will have it no matter what, if they want it. For that reason I would never have a REALLY good bike; I stick to stuff between the £500 and £800 price mark.

Regarding registers; there are so many different ones I don't bother. I have photographs and records of serial numbers for identification purposes if needs be.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Hi everyone,

A friend of my recently told me that their friend had two customized road bikes stolen from their garage. I am guessing the two bikes combined were worth over $10,000. I also read an article on a bike theft in Montreal, QC (Cyclist Michael Le Rossignol pays $400 to buy back stolen bike - Montreal - CBC News). It's crazy how often these bike thefts are happening.

I was just wondering, is bike theft a common thing that happens and have any of you ever experienced bike theft? Are there any ways of prevention? I know that the police have a bike registry, but do most people register their bikes? Also, if any of you have had your bike stolen, were you able to get it recovered?

In most cases, at least here in the States, the bicycles get parted out . Frame may be resold, but that's normally the only part you can trace. Whole bike deals are strictly amateur hour, and the police have taken to using bait bikes in areas where bike theft is high. Sometimes kids just steal bikes, joyride on them for a few minutes, and ditch the bicycle in a stream. Or just on the sidewalk, like the other day, near where I work. There's a market for Campagnolo parts, Brooks saddles, higher end derailleurs, and finer wheelsets.

 

[Kookas]

Never myself, but I've got insurance on my current one so it should just be a bit of an inconvenience should my bike go astray. That said, I really doubt that'll happen. I just can't imagine there being many thieves with the willpower, the balls and the equipment to cut through a Gold standard D-lock in the middle of Exeter.

In any case I don't worry about it too much. Nothing's happened yet.

 

[classic33]

I have and the apathy shown by the police to people who have had their transport stolen.
After all its only a bike, it can't be that expensive to replace.

Quickest response I've had was when one with confidential election material was taken. A "Blue's & Two's" response.

Worst was when I'd medication taken at the same time. Class "C" & lethal if taken by the wrong person. Police not interested, but it made the local news the following day. Bigger response then required by the police.

 

[MarkF]

Had 2 stolen, one from my garage about 5 years ago and one by Cuban gangsters in Barcelona 2011. Since, I've parked the car across the garage doors and rigged up a fake alarm (red flashing led's) at the rear window, no problems since.

The subsequent police merry-go-round of follow up visits, feedback calls and "helpful" theft leaflets was more annoying than the bike going.

 

[Mile195]

I had a bike pinched outside a friends flat in brighton years ago.

My fault really for locking it up with a cable lock I bought from the £1 shop, and leaving it there on a Friday night. This was many, many years ago...

I had a motorbike stolen once too. 5 youths, four mopeds, a large pair of bolt cutters and a rope. As I woke up properly and stuck my head out the window, I was just in time to watch them tow it off the drive. Heartbreaking, but to their credit, unbelievably well executed.

 

[mustang1]

Yes, twice. Once in the early 1990s and once a few years ago. The first one broke my heart coz my parents bought it for me but they also tookmout insurance so we got a replacement very cheap.

The second one, I would have preferred it to not get stolen but it gave me a chance to buy a new bike.