What do you do when you suspect bike theft?

[jeffpoulin]

This morning, on my ride into work, I saw a man riding a beater bike while pushing a nice racing bike. I couldn't help but wonder if he just stole the bike he was pushing. I know one shouldn't judge based on looks, but if I had to guess what a bike thief looked like, this guy would be pretty close. I stared at him as he went by which caught his attention. I know there are all kinds of legitimate reasons to ride a bike while pushing another, but the circumstances here just seemed very unusual. This is not the first time I've seen something like this and it always makes me wonder. What do you do when you suspect bike theft?

 

[Globalti]

Clobber him and ask questions afterwards.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Stop being such a judgemental **** for a start! Sorry, but it has to be said. It is almost as bad as the person who was stopped by the police for not wearing the 'right' clothes for his road bike or whatever it was.

I, due to various reasons, at one point rode both a Felt TT bike and a BSO of sound but dubious quality (not at the same time obviously!). I would have been observed pushing both of them along at one point or another when both needed work done to them at the LBS.
Except for why I had two massively differing machines, do you still want to make judgements?



....... Of course, yes, he might just have nicked them, but how will you ever know, and more importantly, how would you be able to prove it unless you knew the bikes/ owner(s) personally?

 

[redcard]

Stop being such a judgemental **** for a start! Sorry, but it has to be said. It is almost as bad as the person who was stopped by the police for not wearing the 'right' clothes for his road bike or whatever it was.

I, due to various reasons, at one point rode both a Felt TT bike and a BSO of sound but dubious quality (not at the same time obviously!). I would have been observed pushing both of them along at one point or another when both needed work done to them at the LBS.
Except for why I had two massively differing machines, do you still want to make judgements?



....... Of course, yes, he might just have nicked them, but how will you ever know, and more importantly, how would you be able to prove it unless you knew the bikes/ owner(s) personally?

You seem to be advocating the 'do nothing' stance.

 

[XRHYSX]

are you sure its not @swee'pea99 taking his bike home

 

[jefmcg]

Why would a bike thief hold onto the beater bike? Dump that, cycle the road bike home quickly so you don't attract attention and pick a new beater bike anywhere with a pair of tin snips. No, I think this was legitimate.

 

[Leodis]

Why would a bike thief hold onto the beater bike? Dump that, cycle the road bike home quickly so you don't attract attention and pick a new beater bike anywhere with a pair of tin snips. No, I think this was legitimate.

We are in austerity measures my friend, even chavs cannot afford to throw away BSO's

 

[sazzaa]

Unless you've got a reason to do anything about it (which you don't) then I'd say it's best to keep your thoughts to yourself. What would you actually do anyway, confront him? That could end badly.

 

[palinurus]

I left some bikes at a friends while I moved. Once I'd got my Asgard bike store built I went to collect them.

This involved part riding / part pushing a road bike in trainers (while wearing a paint-spattered hoodie) and pushing a TT bike at the same time.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Unless you've got a reason to do anything about it (which you don't) then I'd say it's best to keep your thoughts to yourself. What would you actually do anyway, confront him? That could end badly.

It doesn't always require a head-on confrontation.

There have been a couple of occasions when I've seen someone either struggling to unlock a bike, or pushing one that seemed rather flash compared to the person's appearance.

I simply rode over and asked in a friendly manner whether my toolkit could be of any use. It's one way of getting the person to talk about the bike and find out if he seems genuine and you can then make up your mind on whether it's as dodgy as it looks. It also lets you get a decent description of the guy in the event that you decide to report it to the police.

GC

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Stop being such a judgemental **** for a start! Sorry, but it has to be said.

No it doesn't.

It is almost as bad as the person who was stopped by the police for not wearing the 'right' clothes for his road bike or whatever it was.

That was good policing and I'd have had no objections to being stopped by a cop who spotted something didn't square with the rider compared to the bike. It's called being observant.

....... Of course, yes, he might just have nicked them, but how will you ever know, and more importantly, how would you be able to prove it unless you knew the bikes/ owner(s) personally?

If you see something suspicious, notify the police. That's called being community spirited. You know, looking out for other people and their property.

Or you could just shrug your shoulders and carry on.


GC

 

[CopperCyclist]

Jefmcg said exactly what I was thinking. Bike thieves normal MO can even be to leave the stolen bike they are currently rising at the scene of they can upgrade to a better stolen bike, so it was probably legit.

That said, I'm not sure I agree with Mad Doug Biker on his first point! I would certainly stop and have a polite word with someone riding a 'good' road bike in the 'wrong' clothes. I wouldn't immediately accuse then, but it would draw my attention to have a chat, and is like to think of my pride and joy was stolen the same could happen for me!

 

[hopless500]

Jefmcg said exactly what I was thinking. Bike thieves normal MO can even be to leave the stolen bike they are currently rising at the scene of they can upgrade to a better stolen bike, so it was probably legit.

That said, I'm not sure I agree with Mad Doug Biker on his first point! I would certainly stop and have a polite word with someone riding a 'good' road bike in the 'wrong' clothes. I wouldn't immediately accuse then, but it would draw my attention to have a chat, and is like to think of my pride and joy was stolen the same could happen for me!

Except I have what would be classed as a good road bike, and rarely do the 'lycra thing'. And I quite often have a Carradice roll tied to the saddle & stem. Shock horror . Even my OH is a slave to convention..... but I'd rather wear baggy shorts. If I got stopped every time by the fashion police, I would be extremely pi$$ed off.

 

[hopless500]

Except I have what would be classed as a good road bike, and rarely do the 'lycra thing'. And I quite often have a Carradice roll tied to the saddle & stem. Shock horror . Even my OH is a slave to convention..... but I'd rather wear baggy shorts. If I got stopped every time by the fashion police, I would be extremely pi$$ed off.

And I can't abide road bike shoes either! MTB shoes for me!

 

[CopperCyclist]

And I can't abide road bike shoes either! MTB shoes for me!

Then you'll be pleased to know that from the full description you just gave (not just the shoes), I wouldn't even look twice at you!

I could start to list examples of people I would think about stopping, but then I'd either be accused of stereotyping or giving away police secrets, so I'll keep silent