Do bike thieves read craig's list?
 

There have been a whole crapton of bike thefts in Philly this summer. WAY more than any other year that I can remember. I heard a rumor of three young kids going around with a cordless grinder and demolishing U-Locks under the cover of darkness - this is what Trophy Bikes does if you lose your key...but in the daytime.

Anyway, I was about to post something about this on CL (there have been a number of posts about bicycle theft prevention), when I wondered if a potential bike thief might read it and go buy a cordless grinder. Additionally, someone posted a long list of things to photograph like serial numbers, various details, etc, but didn't mention taking a picture of yourself with the bike and sticking it in the seat tube - a good tip, but again it's information you wouldn't want to give away to any potential thieves.

What do you think? Good info for cyclists, but bad info for thieves. And if there are in fact kids with a grinder, it'd be a good thing for people to keep in mind, but the last thing we want is MORE people with grinders.

maybe you should rethink the emphatic mention of tools in this post then?

Probably less than read bikeforums.

should you have even posted this? now bike thieves will read craigslist. you've already said too much...

i think a theif would be better off reading bikeforums. then they would know what to look for, how to get it, and how to remove any anti-theft devices.

Thieves in Ghana, when caught, are beaten half to death and stripped naked by everyone within earshot of the word "thief!". We need more community -- there is no way to restrict information or access to the tools of evil.

smart bike theives would educate themselves about the technologies, and tricks of their trade, and would probably know more about it than you do. then again smart thieves probably steal cars. Why steal a $3000 bike when you could get a $30,000 car.

Bike thieves if you're reading this go steal a car. Cars have 10 times the value. it's the smart thing to do.

+1. And if you can't steal it, please destroy it. In fact, for every one you steal, please put sugar in the gas tank of three more.

Post of the day.

Remember most thieves are guys who are bikers just like us.

S/F,
CEYA!

I posted here because I'm sure less thieves read BF than CL, though it's a better resource...

and CEYA, most bike thieves probably ride bikes, but I don't think they're "Just like us"...

I'm all for beating thieves half to death, or chasing down people riding stolen bikes, or throwing a second lock on a locked stolen bike, but at this point the reality is that there's really no penalty for stealing a bike. Someone can approach a thief in the act, and have no basis for accusing them. But even worse, no one even approaches them. It must be painfully easy to steal a bike, but most of don't do it out of respect or morals. The only consequence for stealing a bike is having it stolen back. Stealing a car is Grand Theft. Plus, it's getting harder and harder to steal cars, but easier to steal bikes.

Maybe we should try and do something more...maybe we should have a "bait bike" with GPS, wait until it's stolen, track it down, and see if it leads to more stolen bikes. Hmmmm, anyone have other suggestions? I'm not talking about proper ways to lock your bike, or buying better locks, or "don't lock your bike up at all - take it inside!" I mean something communittee oriented and organized, like a "neighborhood watch"

It's just getting frustrating to see bikes that people really love getting stolen every day. This photo in particular
http://d.im.craigslist.org/uV/Jl/xFN...LL7l4ytHVC.jpg

you should ask paul reubens for that bike back. the dog might also have luck hitting him up for what he's missing.

oh, pee wee Herman!

If this new Stolen Bike Listing becomes widely used, Craigs List will not be the handy resale store for stolen bikes that it is today. Trying to keep information out of the hands of thieves is a waste of time... it's already out there. See the news video clip in the link for the tip on putting a note in your seat tube.

"Cordless grinders don't steal bikes, people steal bikes".

i have never heard of this but it is genius. i am going to do that this week.

IF bike thieves do read craig's list maybe this guy will get his back:

Stolen Mongoose Mountain Bike - RED '98 - FIND IT & I'll PAY YOU - $300

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reply to: sale-201287636@craigslist.org
Date: 2006-08-31, 11:05AM EDT


Stolen Red 1998 Mongoose Threshold -FIND THIS BIKE & I WILL PAY YOUThis bike was stolen from my roommate a couple of nights ago. It was my bike which he used without permission and actually it belongs to my younger sister. It was a present from my mom a couple of weeks before she passed away. My sister and I have many memories with that bike and while to whoever stole it may have just been a nice bike, to us it's much more. We'd really like it back. I don't care who you are or why you did it, I just want this bike back. I haven't even told my sister yet. It's too hard. My roommate will pay you 300 dollars to please return the bike. It means a great deal to me and my younger sister. No questions asked, no reports, nothing of that nature. I seriously just want our bike back. Please. If anyone sees this bike listed or sees it around please contact me.

Thanks

718.930.6665

Bike Info: It's a red 1998 men's mongoose threshold sport. I believe it's 18" or 19" and a 30 speed bike. It was in excellent condition. In the pictures below the bike is hitched closest to the car, behind the first red bike. In the second picture it's the first bike. Third pic - imagine it red and that's my bike.

300 goes to anyone who finds the bike or anyone returning it to us. Please help. Thanks

Areas: Park Slope, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Fort Green, Brooklyn Heights

BUT WOULDN"T THIS BE A GREAT WAY TO SERVE UP A BEATING FOR SOME STUPID THIEF?

No - it's really not.

Unless you never ride in the rain, putting paper in seat tubes causes rusting. Trust me. I (stupidly, and unfortunately) know.

[QUOTE=NNNN]I posted here because I'm sure less thieves read BF than CL, though it's a better resource...

and CEYA, most bike thieves probably ride bikes, but I don't think they're "Just like us"...



I stated that because most of the guys who was stealing bike here in NYC was other messengers.

I should have stated who "US" was in my previous post.


S/F,
CEYA!

No - it's really not.

Unless you never ride in the rain, putting paper in seat tubes causes rusting. Trust me. I (stupidly, and unfortunately) know.



-----maybe get it laminated??

Yet they still get stolen. Lose.