Bike Theft takes a new twist!!
08-10-12, 10:14 AM
#26
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edit: FYI, they're both "Alpha" Global cities ... in case you didn't know
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city
Last edited by acidfast7; 08-10-12 at 10:21 AM.
08-10-12, 10:46 AM
#27
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Depending on the bike and the racks design, a large carabiner through the fork and front wheel chock and/or chainstay and rear wheel chock are pretty quick to attach and remove if you know they are there yet may deter an opportunist if he/she can't snatch the bike quick enough.
08-10-12, 11:35 AM
#28
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I used to ride the Los Angeles MTA. The bus drivers would get tweeked when I locked my bike to the rack. I don't know if no locking was policy, but the drivers didn't want you to be slowing them down at the stops. I explained to them that I could load/lock, and unlock/unload faster than most people do with out locking. I got really fast at it, and after a while, the drivers got to know me and didn't [throw a female dog] (durn censor bots!).
1. If the rack is up when the bus arrives, have the bike hoisted by the top tube with the left hand with the front wheel facing forward.
2. When the bus stops, step off the curb, lower the rack with your free hand, drop the bike, throw the lock that is already threaded around the frame to the rack, remove the key.
3. Board the bus and before the driver can protest say, "see how fast I did that? I'll get it off faster then those that don't lock".
4. At your destination get off the bus, unlock, hoist the bike one handed by the top tube and raise the rack with your free hand and step to the curb.
If there is already a bike on the rack, it should be in the first position, nearest the bus, but it may not be. I'll leave it to you to figure out. The above should give you a good idea. Bus drivers can be a pain, but you would be a lot better off making them your freinds.
1. If the rack is up when the bus arrives, have the bike hoisted by the top tube with the left hand with the front wheel facing forward.
2. When the bus stops, step off the curb, lower the rack with your free hand, drop the bike, throw the lock that is already threaded around the frame to the rack, remove the key.
3. Board the bus and before the driver can protest say, "see how fast I did that? I'll get it off faster then those that don't lock".
4. At your destination get off the bus, unlock, hoist the bike one handed by the top tube and raise the rack with your free hand and step to the curb.
If there is already a bike on the rack, it should be in the first position, nearest the bus, but it may not be. I'll leave it to you to figure out. The above should give you a good idea. Bus drivers can be a pain, but you would be a lot better off making them your freinds.
08-10-12, 11:40 AM
#29
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That area is pretty sketchy. Taking a bike off a bus rack in full view of you and the driver is pretty darn bold. If Metro doesn't provide a way to securely transport your bike, they should be responsible. In essense, you have turned the bike over to them for the duration of the bus ride. Can't see how a wheel lock will deter theft, because the thief will just carry your bike down the nearest alley. Not likely you are going to give chase for any distance, as you would be risking serious bodily harm in attempting to retrieve your bike. It's on Metro to address this issue. In the meantime, get a cheap bike that you won't mind losing and paint some graffiti on it. Make it look like a piece of junk. Put some Huffy stickers on it.
08-10-12, 11:47 AM
#30
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Interesting...
in Frankfurt you can take your bike on the tram, subway and commuter rail for free (expect at 06.00-08.30 and 16.00-18.30 on the subway due to high passenger load). You can sneak them on to buses at night as well if you're polite to the driver.
but most people find it easier just to lock a bike up at the station where they commute from by bike ... like this ...
in Frankfurt you can take your bike on the tram, subway and commuter rail for free (expect at 06.00-08.30 and 16.00-18.30 on the subway due to high passenger load). You can sneak them on to buses at night as well if you're polite to the driver.
but most people find it easier just to lock a bike up at the station where they commute from by bike ... like this ...
08-10-12, 12:54 PM
#31
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You can take a bike on the metro in DC except during peak hours (usually during peak hours as well depending on your stops). I have put my bike on the front of a bus a couple times. I could not see it unless I was standing right up on the drive or standing on the stairs to the raised rear on the newer metrobuses. Also, I imagine you'll get tired of that commute very quickly. It is 75 minutes on the best days, assuming downtown to downtown. Monday morning? Friday afternoon? You're probably looking at 2 hours on the reg. At that long of a commute, is it really worth standing, right up front in everybody's way, paranoid, peering over the front, checking on your bike, for 2.5-4 hours per day, five days per week?
Do you really need to take the bike? Why not join CBS and leave your own bike at home. If you're just using it to commute from the bus stop to work, it's a much better option (or, as Alan said, just get a beater).
I live in a pretty nice area in DC and I wouldn't lock my bike up outside my house if I was going to be gone for more than 4-5 minutes. I've seen bikes stripped of everything that wasn't locked down in just a minute or two. In June, a guy in front of me in line at CVS came out to find his bars and brifters removed from his bike - threadless stem and all - with the cables cut, to boot.
Do you really need to take the bike? Why not join CBS and leave your own bike at home. If you're just using it to commute from the bus stop to work, it's a much better option (or, as Alan said, just get a beater).
I live in a pretty nice area in DC and I wouldn't lock my bike up outside my house if I was going to be gone for more than 4-5 minutes. I've seen bikes stripped of everything that wasn't locked down in just a minute or two. In June, a guy in front of me in line at CVS came out to find his bars and brifters removed from his bike - threadless stem and all - with the cables cut, to boot.
08-10-12, 01:14 PM
#32
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I hook a bungee around the frame to the rack. It's not fool proof but it would prevent a quick snatch and go.
I've had a couple driver's question the practice (2x over the course of three months). I've never had one stop me though.
I've had a couple driver's question the practice (2x over the course of three months). I've never had one stop me though.
08-10-12, 11:21 PM
#33
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You can take a bike on the metro in DC except during peak hours (usually during peak hours as well depending on your stops). I have put my bike on the front of a bus a couple times. I could not see it unless I was standing right up on the drive or standing on the stairs to the raised rear on the newer metrobuses. Also, I imagine you'll get tired of that commute very quickly. It is 75 minutes on the best days, assuming downtown to downtown. Monday morning? Friday afternoon? You're probably looking at 2 hours on the reg. At that long of a commute, is it really worth standing, right up front in everybody's way, paranoid, peering over the front, checking on your bike, for 2.5-4 hours per day, five days per week?
Do you really need to take the bike? Why not join CBS and leave your own bike at home. If you're just using it to commute from the bus stop to work, it's a much better option (or, as Alan said, just get a beater).
I live in a pretty nice area in DC and I wouldn't lock my bike up outside my house if I was going to be gone for more than 4-5 minutes. I've seen bikes stripped of everything that wasn't locked down in just a minute or two. In June, a guy in front of me in line at CVS came out to find his bars and brifters removed from his bike - threadless stem and all - with the cables cut, to boot.
Do you really need to take the bike? Why not join CBS and leave your own bike at home. If you're just using it to commute from the bus stop to work, it's a much better option (or, as Alan said, just get a beater).
I live in a pretty nice area in DC and I wouldn't lock my bike up outside my house if I was going to be gone for more than 4-5 minutes. I've seen bikes stripped of everything that wasn't locked down in just a minute or two. In June, a guy in front of me in line at CVS came out to find his bars and brifters removed from his bike - threadless stem and all - with the cables cut, to boot.
The Marc train would be ideal, but since that is not an option, the light rail, b30, and metro rail will be the route. I figured it will about a 2 hour stint just getting there. My beater bikes will be going on the first couple runs to see how it goes. I am 72, so I qualify for the up front seats too!
08-11-12, 07:28 AM
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I think if I was going to do bus+bike a lot I would get one of these. As acidfast has said these are real popular in Europe so they must be pretty effective. It won't stop someone from carrying the bike away, but the won't be able to ride it. Most likely this means they will drop it if they are being chased.
I don't think there would be much of a problem with people stealing bikes off buses where I live, but having a little more protection wouldn't be a bad idea. For now though if I take the bus with my bike, I'll just u-lock my back wheel to the frame.
I don't think there would be much of a problem with people stealing bikes off buses where I live, but having a little more protection wouldn't be a bad idea. For now though if I take the bus with my bike, I'll just u-lock my back wheel to the frame.
08-12-12, 05:42 PM
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First of all, if you are that worried about theft, use thrift store bikes (ie $25) for commuting and if you lose a bike a week to theft, it is still cheaper than a tank of gas.
Second, can you just remove the front wheel quickly and carry it onto the bus? I don't think people will steal your bike if the front wheel is missing.
Second, can you just remove the front wheel quickly and carry it onto the bus? I don't think people will steal your bike if the front wheel is missing.
08-12-12, 05:51 PM
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Washington DC today is a police state. I swear, when police bend down to tie their shoelaces, I wonder how they avoid tieing the shoelaces of the cop next to them by accident. So, crime has come down a bit in downtown which "hopefully" suggests that your bike is safer than it ever was outside. Crime in neighborhoods surrounding the Capital is a different story. In the neighborhoods, people will steal the paint off of houses, so your bike would not be safe there.
08-12-12, 06:39 PM
#39
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I put my bike on the front of the bus on my daily commute. I guess I kinda keep an eye on it as we roll through downtown Kansas City as I am reading BF on my phone. Theft never crosses my mind.
08-13-12, 09:21 AM
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First of all, if you are that worried about theft, use thrift store bikes (ie $25) for commuting and if you lose a bike a week to theft, it is still cheaper than a tank of gas.
Second, can you just remove the front wheel quickly and carry it onto the bus? I don't think people will steal your bike if the front wheel is missing.
Second, can you just remove the front wheel quickly and carry it onto the bus? I don't think people will steal your bike if the front wheel is missing.
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08-13-12, 09:40 AM
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I live on H St. (H and 14 NE), and I have opted against putting the bike on a bus rack for this reason. I don't want to take the time that I would need to place the bike and then lock it up, as the folks on the bus wouldn't be too happy with that. I'm sure if I did it enough I could get better at it over time, but a bit of a daunting prospect for me at the moment.
08-13-12, 12:12 PM
#43
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I have never seen bus racks any different, and I have ridden all of the metro systems in Southern CA, and Las Vegas NV.
08-13-12, 12:18 PM
#44
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As the cyclist, however, I would argue that a complete no-locking policy negates the assumption of risk, at least to some extent. But I suspect the immobilized wheel with the bungi/rope option is almost as good as a full on lock to the rack body.
I'm almost surprised no one has come up with a product to satisfy this very specific need -- where are the design students?
08-13-12, 01:03 PM
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First of all, if you are that worried about theft, use thrift store bikes (ie $25) for commuting and if you lose a bike a week to theft, it is still cheaper than a tank of gas.
Second, can you just remove the front wheel quickly and carry it onto the bus? I don't think people will steal your bike if the front wheel is missing.
Second, can you just remove the front wheel quickly and carry it onto the bus? I don't think people will steal your bike if the front wheel is missing.
BTW - I am a Seattle native. lived on the Plateau for a long time. I sure miss the overall quality of public transit in King County.
08-13-12, 01:44 PM
#47
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This sounds like a recipe for having all the bike racks removed from buses. Were I Metro, I'd argue that the bike rack is provided for the convenience of passengers, and that the passengers assume the risk of using the rack (just like they assume the risk of locking to racks at rail stations, or ). If a court later ruled that the carrier is liable for theft from the rack, the next recommendation from their lawyers would likely be to remove them (unless they are statutorily required) or start charging a hefty fee for their use.
As the cyclist, however, I would argue that a complete no-locking policy negates the assumption of risk, at least to some extent. But I suspect the immobilized wheel with the bungi/rope option is almost as good as a full on lock to the rack body.
I'm almost surprised no one has come up with a product to satisfy this very specific need -- where are the design students?
As the cyclist, however, I would argue that a complete no-locking policy negates the assumption of risk, at least to some extent. But I suspect the immobilized wheel with the bungi/rope option is almost as good as a full on lock to the rack body.
I'm almost surprised no one has come up with a product to satisfy this very specific need -- where are the design students?
08-13-12, 02:24 PM
#48
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08-13-12, 02:29 PM
#49
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So it's your fault if Metro won't let you lock your bike to the front of the bus, and you watch it get stolen by a petty thief? Or you have to chase them down at night to rescue your bike, risking life and limb? OK, then.
08-13-12, 02:38 PM
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Well, wheelchair lifts are provided for the convenience of passengers, so are you saying there is no liability if the lift injures them? How about if the bar you are holding onto gives way and you fall down cracking your skull? Saying something is "for the convenience of passengers" doesn't relieve them of liability.