bike theft
08-10-06, 02:00 PM
#1
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bike theft
Does anyone know what generally happens to bicycles after they are stolen? Do many end up at larger clearing houses for stolen bikes? Are they resold elsewhere? What happens when only your back tire or components are stolen? Because so many bikes are stolen, I'm interested in this. Have there been any studies? Have large stolen bike opeations been busted up or exposed?
08-10-06, 02:07 PM
#2
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Usually kids building Frankenbikes.
Bikes/Parts end up in one of three places;
Police impound (rare and usually only if bike is abandoned)
Garage collection (in perpetuity)
Trash
If you are fortunate to live in a city with a bike co-op the parts may end up there eventually if someone trash picks them and donates them.
High end parts may be sold on ebatty but the risk is usually not worth the reward.
Bikes/Parts end up in one of three places;
Police impound (rare and usually only if bike is abandoned)
Garage collection (in perpetuity)
Trash
If you are fortunate to live in a city with a bike co-op the parts may end up there eventually if someone trash picks them and donates them.
High end parts may be sold on ebatty but the risk is usually not worth the reward.
08-10-06, 02:57 PM
#3
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There was a "used bike" shop near me in Sacramento that was busted as a fence.
08-10-06, 03:08 PM
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In Toronto a substantial number end up as junkers in "used bike stores." Higher end ones have parts stripped off and sold first -- often to unscrupulous repair shops. Sometimes they are just taken on brief joyrides before being abandoned.
08-10-06, 03:39 PM
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My bicycle is fixed
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Around here, it's mostly kids. A neighbor had a bike stolen, so went and checked out the local junior high, found the bike parked there, waited for the little hooligan, and retrieved the bike. Then there are the homeless.... They didn't buy those machines, you can be sure.
That reminds me of a local junkie who was fixing "his" bike in the LBS parking lot. I got to talking to him when I was fixing my bike in the lot too. He said that his friend had given him this "free" bike. Some poor kid really misses that bike. But at least they get used.
That reminds me of a local junkie who was fixing "his" bike in the LBS parking lot. I got to talking to him when I was fixing my bike in the lot too. He said that his friend had given him this "free" bike. Some poor kid really misses that bike. But at least they get used.
08-10-06, 03:51 PM
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I think I've heard pawn shops, too. That would make sense for someone needing money more than a bike.
08-10-06, 07:27 PM
#7
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In Miami, stolen bukes usually end up on a freighter to Haiti, where its the prefered (maybe only) form of non pedestrian transportation for the majority of the population.
I've seen frieghters lined up on the Miami River with what looks like mountains of bicycles jumbled on the deck.
I've seen frieghters lined up on the Miami River with what looks like mountains of bicycles jumbled on the deck.
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Il faut de l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace
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Il faut de l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace
1980 3Rensho-- 1975 Raleigh Sprite 3spd
1990s Raleigh M20 MTB--2007 Windsor Hour (track)
1988 Ducati 750 F1
08-11-06, 10:07 AM
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Some poor kid really misses that bike. But at least they get used.
When my bike was stolen as a kid, I assure you that wasn't what I was thinking.
08-11-06, 11:51 AM
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Speed Demon *roll eyes*
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Originally Posted by slowandsteady
At least they get used????
When my bike was stolen as a kid, I assure you that wasn't what I was thinking.
When my bike was stolen as a kid, I assure you that wasn't what I was thinking.
08-11-06, 12:42 PM
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My old bike was stolen. I later saw it being ridden by a bum. I knew it was my bike, even though he had trashed the brakes, put a different seat on it and tricked it out with a trailer full of junk. I wanted to kill the f*cker.
08-11-06, 01:24 PM
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When I was a kid my bike was stolen, outside a friends house or something. The next day I saw it in the bike rack at school. It still had the lock wrapped around the seat post. I simply locked it up. After school I waited to see who would come get it but no one did. Or maybe they just saw me waiting.
