Mind boggling at the amount of bikes stolen.

[classic33]

That seems an awful lot of bikes per day?!

All told, I'd say that's fairly low. How many people have more than one bike?

 

[PK99]

Security is why I never use a bike for utility trips. That and the fact that I am not averse to walking a couple of miles, and live in London and have an Oyster card so I can always hop on a bus.

Ditto.

I know too many people who have had bikes nicked on shopping trips.

 

[Blue Hills]

Must say though in london never had a bike nicked. I use older looking (both over 20 years old tho many bits new) but very nice running bikes around town, d lock thro rear triangle, small light lock through front wheel. The brommie is never locked in the street - no need. I have been accused of being over nervous, once by someone who then got a bike nicked. The dale was never ever left in town even if locked and have since taken it apart to provide bits for one of the 20 year olds.

 

[Globalti]

Most bikes are extremely expensive in most countries of the world and unattainable to people on low incomes whereas many in the UK enjoy such a high disposable income that they think nothing of splashing £500 to £2500 on a bicycle, which is a year's wages for some people even as close as eastern Europe.

I sat on a plane to Belgrade next to a Serb lad who saw my bike magazine and began boasting about his pal in Novi Sad who makes a very nice living flogging top-end bikes stolen in the UK and shipped over by the container-load. I guess the disparity in income and value makes them a valuable commodity, especially as the risk is so low. To be able to buy a £2500 race bike with Ultegra for a hundred Euros or so! Just think! He stopped boasting and shut up when he saw my expression.

 

[adamhearn]

He stopped boasting and shut up when he saw my expression.

It's pretty sad when someone is willing to disclose this type of activity to a stranger; it just shows how other areas/culture are happy to accept it as the norm.

 

[Globalti]

I visited a bike shop in Belgrade with my Serb agent who was staggered at the prices of the bikes, €300 or more for crappy, heavy street bikes. The shop owner was sullen and unhelpful and wouldn't allow my agent to test ride a bike.