General Cycling Discussion - why don't more criminals use bikes?

I was just thinking today, why don't more criminals use bikes for their getaway vehicle, it would be a lot faster, and the cops wouldn't think of looking for a robber on a bike, also you could take the bike into buildings to escape from police, and the establishment wouldn't be able to get a license number, just make sure that you don't lock it up, it has to be at the ready.

Today's edition of 'Better Crime Techniques' has been brought to you by Crazy Cyclist.

Be listening this time tomorrow when we look at 'Muggings - How do you conceal your blunt instrument?'

Originally posted by MediaCreations
Today's edition of 'Better Crime Techniques' has been brought to you by Crazy Cyclist.

Be listening this time tomorrow when we look at 'Muggings - How do you conceal your blunt instrument?'

Media, I was not suggesting that anyone go out and commit crimes, all i did was ask a question, I was just wondering why more criminals who do commit crime, don't take a bike more often.

I know. I wasn't accusing you, I was just joking.

Sorry if it came across as an accusation. I agree with your premise. It would make more sense. Every now and then you do hear of criminals getting away on a bike.

If they are criminals they are probably just lazy. I assume you are talking about theft and robbery types. Too much work. Besides they have never seen a bike chase on TV. That pacific biek cop show is not on anymore. LOL

Bicycles don't slow down bullets very well:D

mediacreations, I apologize, if I offended you in any way, it was not my intention.

Runyun, by the time the clerk realises the thief escaped on a bike it is usually to late, most robberies are commited by someone using a motor vehicle.

Originally posted by Crazy Cyclist
I was just thinking today, why don't more criminals use bikes for their getaway vehicle, it would be a lot faster, and the cops wouldn't think of looking for a robber on a bike, also you could take the bike into buildings to escape from police, and the establishment wouldn't be able to get a license number, just make sure that you don't lock it up, it has to be at the ready. What if your bike gets stolen? I've got a better idea: A getaway tandem!

Originally posted by Raiyn
What if your bike gets stolen? I've got a better idea: A getaway tandem!

I was thinking the same thing: What if it's stolen while committing the crime? Wouldn't that be a great irony?

The tandem idea is quite a clever solution. . . the equivalent of a getaway driver at the ready.

Robbers are lazy by nature. That's why they steal, so they don't have to work. Hopping on a bicycle means they would have to put in too much effort.

Criminals in Baltimore city use dirt bikes...they don't like to pedal.:p

Originally posted by danr
Robbers are lazy by nature. That's why they steal, so they don't have to work. Hopping on a bicycle means they would have to put in too much effort.



:roflmao:

My favorites were channel 5 news "Stupid Criminal Stories". They had one where a robber led them on a car chase into the country. Realizing that the police would be able to catch him in a car he mad an abrupt stop and ran off into the woods. The cops were able to chase him through the woods in complete darkness and took him down. Astonished by the fact the police had been able to find him he inquired why. They told him they just followed his footsteps. He was wearing those shoes that light up with every step. :roflmao:

Judging from the local response every time some city or the county wants to add a bike bridge across a major thoroughfare, many people think all bicyclists are criminals! Recently, at public hearings, you hear locals bemoaning the fact that the bike bridges will bring the "wrong elements" into their neighborhoods, etc. My normal response to them is, "when was the last time you saw somebody riding off with your TV on his handlebars? The guys you gotta watch out for are in cars, you idiot, because they can carry the swag away quickly. If you want to prevent the 'wrong elements' from coming into your neighborhoods, put up barriers to block off access by cars and make everyone ride a bike."

Puff, puff. End of sidetrack.

What a joke ... I have to hand it to you guys....youi actually thing
a criminal would fee safe doing an unaccceptapt act and running
for cover, using a 2 wheel vehicle?

Unrealistic, sorry ...

In Brighton, some of the low-level street drug retailers use bikes. There is a bike cop in Brighton , a serious cycling athlete, who has a very swift MTB. His boss lets him cruise around picking out trouble. He has been involved in a couple of high speed chases, and like any good mountie, always catches his man.

We had a "criminal genius" here who robbed a bank about 6 months ago. His getaway vehicle was a mtb. He was caught within a half an hour.

Smart criminals don't use bicycles, they do insider trading. Dumb criminals tend to be too stupid to think of bicycles.

there was a case of a bank robber who would get away on a bike. he used to ride with the team sponsored by my LBS, Higher Gear. he robbed banks on the north shore of chicago for 2 years then moved to california and did the same thing. they couldn't catch him till they got a video of the bike during a getaway and one of the mechanics of the LBS saw a still photo (the bike happened to be a Steelman that i ride) on the Steelman website and said "hey that used to be my bike!! i sold that bike to this guy and the cops caught him. the LBS guy got a reward. The thing is, the robber robbed like 18 bank branches... gre up in an affluent section of Libertyville, IL - his next door neighbor was a police chief...

this was recently...within last 2 years...

Originally posted by RiPHRaPH
there was a case of a bank robber who would get away on a bike. he used to ride with the team sponsored by my LBS, Higher Gear. he robbed banks on the north shore of chicago for 2 years then moved to california and did the same thing. they couldn't catch him till they got a video of the bike during a getaway and one of the mechanics of the LBS saw a still photo (the bike happened to be a Steelman that i ride) on the Steelman website and said "hey that used to be my bike!! i sold that bike to this guy and the cops caught him. the LBS guy got a reward. The thing is, the robber robbed like 18 bank branches... gre up in an affluent section of Libertyville, IL - his next door neighbor was a police chief...

this was recently...within last 2 years... I remember that thread. The bicycle bandit. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8759&highlight=bank+robbery

Many crimes go unsolved. Maybe those are the ones where the bad guys use bikes.

LOL ironically me and a friend were talking about mugging people with crank arms. a perfect tool, no oune would expect it. bike seats aren't that bad of an idea too. lol.. i dont know how this fits in...

Thanks for giving me an Idea, he he he he

Originally posted by ChezJfrey
I was thinking the same thing: What if it's stolen while committing the crime? Wouldn't that be a great irony?

You think they would go and lay a complaint at the local cops? ;)

I think a lot of bicycle thieves escape on bicycles - especially on the bicycles they are stealing..:(