Bike theft?

[david.l.k]

I'm going to see a movie in down town toronto, and my dad is saying that I should take the TTC because my bike might get stolen, I have a bombproof lock, and a bike that is not particularily attractive, dirty from a winter of commuting with a half rusted out chain and drity ass drivetrain. What is your experience with bike theft, I think that I will go anyways, leave to good karma.

[DigitalQuirk]

Speaking to bike commuters where I work, there has not been a bike lock designed that cannot be defeated. A scissor style car jack was used to bust open some seemingly bombproof U-locks in a matter of seconds. As such, they tend to ride uglified road bikes, and try to lock their bikes up where visability is high.

My advice? Duct tape and/or electrical tape can be used to cover up decals and make a bike look less attractive.

[my.ark.4]

Its the middle of febuary, given, im in thornhill where biking is almost non existant during the winter, but its a 2 hour movie, with a cheap bike locked in a high visibility area. If you cant do that with your bike, then whats the point of having a lock, or a comuter bike for the matter.

[folder fanatic]

Hmmn, if your bike is in an rideable condition, in a urban area filled with strangers, and even locked, just sitting there for avery long time, it will probably be stolen even with the well intentioned classic advice of covering up decals, uglifing it, and making it unattracted (by yours and other middle classers). Bikes are easy to steal-even with the most hardened u-lock. Simply because someone somewhere is willing to pay someone some money for it.

Just think how a thief thinks. If it is there without supervision, it's free for the asking.

[Roody]

I have a similar idea for bike security as I do for being chased by bears. Whaen a bear's chasing you, you don't have to be able to run faster than the bear. You just have to be faster than at least one of the people you're with.

When securing your bike, you don't need the best lock in the world. You just need a better lock than the one on the next bike in the rack. I suggest that you get a bike that's comparable to other bikes in the area and lock it with a better lock than other riders use.

[joesmohello]

I have a friend in Toronto who factors $500/year for a new bike into her expenses. She figures she can count on her bike being stolen once per year but she still comes out ahead financially over owning a car or taking mass transit. There's no point in owning a bike if you're afraid to ride it.

[AlanK]

I think much of it depends on where you live. In the decade or so I've been biking as my primary source of transportation, I've had two bike stolen. The first was a crappy hybrid with cheap lock, so no surprise. The other was a nice full susp mountain bike that had the U-Lock core drilled off while I was in a movie on July 4th. It was locked in a rack on a college near the theater (since it was July 4th, the area was deserted).

I would check the bike theft stats for your area. While no lock is full proof, if you have a good, solid lock (preferably a U-lock b/c about the only way you can crack it is with power tools) you are probably safe. In general, crooks aren't going to spend time on something unless it's really worth their while. So if it's a $300-800 bike with a good lock, chances are it's not worth the trouble. If the bike is worth $1500+, then it might be worth the time to steal it.

[stargazer48]

I guess I have been pretty lucky for the last 30+ years. I have lived in NYC all my adult life and the last time my bike (Frejeus) was stolen was 1970 when I worked as a bicycle messenger.
My only working bike is what appears to be beatup Peugot (PX10). Over the years, I have locked it up many times and have left it for upto 2 hours. Being paranoid, I always try to find a pole that is fairly visible and use two Kryp. ulocks to secure both wheels and frame. Way back when I had a Brook seat on it, I would secure my seat with a shorted bicycle chain to the frame.
I am going to be extensively travelling very soon and will bring along a new companion, Swifty (a Swift folder). As my companion, Swifty will go where I go, I am not planning to lock it up anywhere. I'll probably place Swift in a carrying bag to hide it from bicycle prejudiced establishments.

Hope my luck holds out.

SG

[Dahon.Steve]

I'm going to see a movie in down town toronto, and my dad is saying that I should take the TTC because my bike might get stolen, I have a bombproof lock, and a bike that is not particularily attractive, dirty from a winter of commuting with a half rusted out chain and drity ass drivetrain. What is your experience with bike theft, I think that I will go anyways, leave to good karma.

Avoid bike racks like the plague. The kids who lock their bikes there will try to steal yours!

I've gone to the movies with my bicycle many times and nothing happend. I hide the bike or park it far from foot traffic so that it can't be seen. The last time, I parked the bike behind the movie theater in the back where no one goes. You're much better off using this strategy than leaving it out in the open.

[Dahon.Steve]

I think much of it depends on where you live. In the decade or so I've been biking as my primary source of transportation, I've had two bike stolen. The first was a crappy hybrid with cheap lock, so no surprise. The other was a nice full susp mountain bike that had the U-Lock core drilled off while I was in a movie on July 4th. It was locked in a rack on a college near the theater (since it was July 4th, the area was deserted).
.

Another bike rack tragedy.

Every year, we see loads of cyclists who have their bikes stolen using bike racks. If you see a bike rack, it's good news because the crooks will have a good supply of bike to loot while yours is parked far away. I'll never forget the woman on this forum who left a $1,500.00 hundred dollar bike on a rack overnight only to have it stolen.

Here's what I do.

1. Fence post behind bushes --- This is a good place to park a bike because it blends behind bushes. Make sure you attach the ulock behind the post and not the actual fence.

2. Dumpster --- A lot of malls have dumpsters and I'll park in there. I know it sounds strange but nothing ever happened and crooks don't go there to steal bikes.

3. Furthest spot in Parking Lot --- Look for a spot that doens't have foot traffic in the parking lot where only the motorist would use.

[shishi]

just make sure wheels are locked to the bike, the bike is locked to something unmovable. Should be ok for 2-3 hour movie.

[cerewa]

I'm going to see a movie in down town toronto, and my dad is saying that I should take the TTC because my bike might get stolen, I have a bombproof lock, and a bike that is not particularily attractive, dirty from a winter of commuting with a half rusted out chain and drity ass drivetrain. What is your experience with bike theft, I think that I will go anyways, leave to good karma.

I don't know how Toronto compares to montreal, but I once left my bike for more than a month, locked up outside in center-city montreal. A junky bike properly locked is not really a theft risk in montreal. On the other hand, my 2 friends had bikes stolen in montreal, one was unlocked, in the hallway of my friend's apartment building. the other was either a case of "i thought I locked it but maybe i didn't" or else the thief unlocked the barrel-key u-lock with a pen, then re-locked it to the post after stealing the bike.

The bikes I ride look bad but are perfectly functional and could probably be sold over craigslist for $40 to $80 CAD. I have never been in the habit of using more than one lock, and I've never used a lock worth more than about $30. I also have bolt-on wheels. If I had quick-release wheels and didn't lock them to the bike then I think there's a fairly good chance that someone would have taken one by now.

[Artkansas]

I'm going to see a movie in down town toronto, and my dad is saying that I should take the TTC because my bike might get stolen.

I've had bikes stolen from an intersection where there were 4 policemen patroling. The heavy chain was no match for their bolt cutter. It was an old drab green 10 speed, the kind of bike with nuts on the axles.

As others have said, the best defense is to have a bike that you won't feel too bad about losing for trips to places like that. Then use the bomb-proof locks and make sure you have bus fare.

[patc]

Am I the only one whose bike is insured?

I've left my bike locked in downtown Ottawa for 4 hours or more at a time. Once, past midnight on a Saturday, I lost a blinkie.

(I did have a bike stolen two years ago, but it was poorly locked and entirely my fault.)

[Dahon.Steve]

I've had bikes stolen from an intersection where there were 4 policemen patroling. The heavy chain was no match for their bolt cutter. It was an old drab green 10 speed, the kind of bike with nuts on the axles.


Good one. I've given up the notion that putting a bicycle in full view is the smart thing to do. In fact, I've seen bikes stolen in Midtown Manhattan with hundreds of people watching. I'll stand by my system as being far more effective.

[david.l.k]

From what I've read, most thieves will only go for bikes that they can steal in less than 30 seconds, I double lock my bike with a stock lock and a 1/2 inch cable now. Stock locks are actualy designed to better resist the car jack system, a good way to defeat the car jack system is to cut down on the space inside the lock. I allways use the U lock to lock my frame and back wheel to the post, the leaves no room for a carjack to get in. The stock lock's sides are made of really really huge and hard cable, you don't take the bottom off to lock up you have to bend the lock open. My bike shop specializes in stuff for commuters and couriers, and they have never heard of a bike being stolen with a stock lock. I got the lock when I got my bike, they sold it to me half priced (a super cool bike shop) for 50 dollars, the list price is now 125. With that and my new 1/2" cable I feel pretty safe leaving my bike anywhere.

[Roody]

Good one. I've given up the notion that putting a bicycle in full view is the smart thing to do. In fact, I've seen bikes stolen in Midtown Manhattan with hundreds of people watching. I'll stand by my system as being far more effective.
You have literally "seen" bikes stolen? Why didn't you do anything to stop it?

[gwd]

From what I've read, most thieves will only go for bikes that they can steal in less than 30 seconds, ...... I was talking to a policewoman a few years ago. She told me she had been on a special bike thief stake out and watched a thief spend 8 minutes sawing through a kryptonite lock. This was around 1996 or 1997. She said the department canceled the stakeouts when they didn't produce enough arrests for the time spent. Anyway, they will spend time on your lock.

[razr]

I've heard of people getting mugged for their bike here in NYC. So much for carrying a lock. I'm thinking of just buying a gun! In any case if you value your bike you'd keep it locked at home and not use it to commute. Manhattan is filled with enough delivery-boy-type pieces of junk you'd be safer blending in with those. Keep the full-suspension for the weekend trails.

[folder fanatic]

"I am going to be extensively travelling very soon and will bring along a new companion, Swifty (a Swift folder). As my companion, Swifty will go where I go, I am not planning to lock it up anywhere. I'll probably place Swift in a carrying bag to hide it from bicycle prejudiced establishments.

Hope my luck holds out."-stargazer48

"I've heard of people getting mugged for their bike here in NYC. So much for carrying a lock. I'm thinking of just buying a gun! In any case if you value your bike you'd keep it locked at home and not use it to commute. Manhattan is filled with enough delivery-boy-type pieces of junk you'd be safer blending in with those. Keep the full-suspension for the weekend trails."-razr

These 2 forum members touched on the extreme range of bicycle security problems and solutions that residents face in large, urban areas of the United States. I only look at and purchase those "funny looking" bikes (small wheeled folders) that I can locate and take a chance where I live. My present and future new bikes will only be folders-the most theft resistant vehicle which I could think of and use. Because nothing is completely theft proof!

[Dahon.Steve]

You have literally "seen" bikes stolen? Why didn't you do anything to stop it?

The bike was stolen while I was working. It happened during broad daylight with the bike placed in a court yard where hundreds of people gather during luch hours. The only thing left on the bike was the fame!

[Andreasaway]

I personally have though of setting up a bait bike. With no brakes at the top of a hill or with electro-shock grips, maybe a pepper spray can in the head tube. Maybe all of the above, but the police in the city I live in finally are doing about the problem. They have set up a bait bike program and they say it is the first in North America.
Just incase you are interested the city is Victoria BC Canada

[Artkansas]

I've heard of people getting mugged for their bike here in NYC.

While riding to classes, I was deprived of my Centurion Pro Tour by two gangs in Los Angeles. One gang slammed me to the curb with their '64 Impala. The other, on bicycles, prevented my escape from the rear. I was outnumbered 8:1. Last I saw of my bike was it hanging in mid air with a gang on each end.

The police headquarters were two blocks away so I walked there. They didn't even believe me till a lady called to report it. She even knew one of the people in the gang with the car. With witnesses, grand theft and an assault they could barely be moved to fill out the paperwork much less put down their donuts and take a 2 block drive.

[Roody]

While riding to classes, I was deprived of my Centurion Pro Tour by two gangs in Los Angeles. One gang slammed me to the curb with their '64 Impala. The other, on bicycles, prevented my escape from the rear. I was outnumbered 8:1. Last I saw of my bike was it hanging in mid air with a gang on each end.

The police headquarters were two blocks away so I walked there. They didn't even believe me till a lady called to report it. She even knew one of the people in the gang with the car. With witnesses, grand theft and an assault they could barely be moved to fill out the paperwork much less put down their donuts and take a 2 block drive.
This rings true. My friend Tony and his cousin were riding a few years ago ehen five guys attacked them and tried to take their bikes. They fought them off, and saw which house they ran into. A cop happened by and they reported the drime and showed the cop where they ran. He refused to believe them, even when they showed him fresh scratches and bruises they got in the fight. While the cops were talking to Tony and his cousin, they all watched the would be muggers go out the back of the house and escape through the alley. The cop told them to go to the precinct and make a report. The precinct captain refused to write the report.

[Artkansas]

Am I the only one whose bike is insured?

I've left my bike locked in downtown Ottawa for 4 hours or more at a time. Once, past midnight on a Saturday, I lost a blinkie.

(I did have a bike stolen two years ago, but it was poorly locked and entirely my fault.)

In California, I had bike insurance till my carrier told me they were no longer carrying anyone in CA.

[Blue Order]

While riding to classes, I was deprived of my Centurion Pro Tour by two gangs in Los Angeles. One gang slammed me to the curb with their '64 Impala. The other, on bicycles, prevented my escape from the rear. I was outnumbered 8:1. Last I saw of my bike was it hanging in mid air with a gang on each end.

The police headquarters were two blocks away so I walked there. They didn't even believe me till a lady called to report it. She even knew one of the people in the gang with the car. With witnesses, grand theft and an assault they could barely be moved to fill out the paperwork much less put down their donuts and take a 2 block drive.

This rings true. My friend Tony and his cousin were riding a few years ago ehen five guys attacked them and tried to take their bikes. They fought them off, and saw which house they ran into. A cop happened by and they reported the drime and showed the cop where they ran. He refused to believe them, even when they showed him fresh scratches and bruises they got in the fight. While the cops were talking to Tony and his cousin, they all watched the would be muggers go out the back of the house and escape through the alley. The cop told them to go to the precinct and make a report. The precinct captain refused to write the report.You guys act like the cops should be doing their job instead of filling up on donuts while watching the clock. Some people.

[randya]

In California, I had bike insurance till my carrier told me they were no longer carrying anyone in CA.
You don't carry your bike, you ride it.

Personally, the only bike I''ve ever had stolen was like 40 years ago, and the thief returned it.

[Crazy Cyclist]

people will steal anything these days, they don't care what the bike looks like, as long as they can steal they are happy.

[folder fanatic]

...And the theives make money in the easy process.