Thieves using Strava to track your bike

[biggs682]

@StuUngar " If my bike was worth £3500 it would be in the bedroom tied to my plonker! " Please tell us what knot you would use

 

[Steve Saunders]

I also changed my name on Strava to something fairly random, so they couldn't use the electoral register to work out where I live. I don't generally start/stop my rides outside the house or work anyway, I use the first half mile or so check the gears etc. are working before starting the garmin.

 

[Irishrich]

Would common sense not tell you to put anything of value safely in your house so I find it irrelevant if a thief knows I own a bike as they will still have to break into my house to get it. By that stage, like everyone else's house, there are the usual valuable things like Tvs, laptops, jewellery etc that most people have. I'm trying to say that thieves don't suddenly target you because you own a bicycle as it could be a piece of crap worth £20. I can see the point if you put it in your garden shed but you're asking for it to be nicked if that's the case. I only keep my clapped out lawnmower in my shed and I couldnt pay someone to take it away!

 

[redcard]

Is there any evidence that the thieves know anything about Strava? Probably not. I think this guy is giving them more credit in an attempt to deflect from his own sheer idiocy and incompetence.

These kind of stories do the rounds every time a new piece of technology is invented, usually makes the front page of the Daily Mail. I don't know what that says about some of the folks people posting in this thread.

 

[John Shingler]

I have the perfect solution to this problem. I don't use Strava.

or don't use a bike

 

[winjim]

Is there any evidence that the thieves know anything about Strava? Probably not. I think this guy is giving them more credit in an attempt to deflect from his own sheer idiocy and incompetence.

If they were using Strava, why did they need to follow him in a van?

 

[Crackle]

Is there any evidence that the thieves know anything about Strava? Probably not. I think this guy is giving them more credit in an attempt to deflect from his own sheer idiocy and incompetence.

These kind of stories do the rounds every time a new piece of technology is invented, usually makes the front page of the Daily Mail. I don't know what that says about some of the folks people posting in this thread.

I daresay there's a wisp of truth to it. I had my garage broken into once and nothing taken because they were looking for a neighbours motorbike who lived in the next flat. I spoke to him and he reckoned he'd been followed by a van one night. Didn't think anything of it at the time, as it pulled up outside as he was parking his bike, just thought it was visiting us. As he left his bike around the back through the garden they didn't get it. I don't think anyone would need Strava to work out where to target though.

 

[redcard]

I decided to test the theory out that thieves are using Strava and was amazed at the results. Over 137 rides in my local area over 60 miles in the last week. They had conveniently shown me their routes. And their start and finish destination.

I don't quite follow your way of thinking here. You didn't test the theory at all.

Thieves aren't using Strava to steal bikes

 

[Brandane]

Is there any evidence that the thieves know anything about Strava? Probably not. I think this guy is giving them more credit in an attempt to deflect from his own sheer idiocy and incompetence.

These kind of stories do the rounds every time a new piece of technology is invented, usually makes the front page of the Daily Mail. I don't know what that says about some of the folks people posting in this thread.

I think you are perhaps underestimating just how clever some thieves are, especially those looking for the more expensive bikes. There probably isn't much "evidence" to prove that they are using Strava. As with most crimes, the thieves will go to some lengths to ensure there is no evidence. Having spent several years dealing with the devious b****rds, I wouldn't be willing to take the chance. I would be very surprised if the WEREN'T using Strava to target bikes.

Edit.... Looks like Cycling Weekly have published an article with related concerns.

An unscrupulous individual could use the information to easily pinpoint the storage location of bikes in any given area - and since some sites allow you to name your bike, they could even identify the location of an exact make and model.

Cycling Weekly has been told of several incidents recently where thieves have appeared to target a particular address, turning up fully equipped with cutting equipment and getting away with thousands of pounds worth of cycles. Several of these stolen bikes have been equipped with GPS computers.

Now, the fact that the pinched bikes were equipped with GPS computers might be coincidence, but it's best to be on the side of caution. Strava, for example, sensibly allows you to hide the position of a specific address on your ride maps - your home, for example - by setting a masked area around it.

 

[BSRU]

I would have thought all the posts on cycling forums on how to use Strava to track bikes would give thieves the idea.

 

[ianrauk]

Is there any evidence that the thieves know anything about Strava? Probably not. I think this guy is giving them more credit in an attempt to deflect from his own sheer idiocy and incompetence.

These kind of stories do the rounds every time a new piece of technology is invented, usually makes the front page of the Daily Mail. I don't know what that says about some of the folks people posting in this thread.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Generally people riding over 60 miles aren't going to be doing it on a piece of sh1t. As a result I always start my Garmin 1/2 - 1 mile away from home and end it there too.

What such nonsense you talk....I've done rides well over 60 miles on El cheapo bikes inc fixies.

 

[Jack Edwards]

Good thing I keep my bike in the second bedroom, even tho the missis isnt happy lol.

 

[line71]

I hope the bloke who's house I start and stop mine outside doesn't have a good bike.

The implication being you dont mind if he has his inferior bike robbed? is that what you are saying?

 

[Hip Priest]

The implication being you dont mind if he has his inferior bike robbed? is that what you are saying?

I think it was meant to be a joke.

It was a good one an' all!