Inoplanetyanin

Not long ago I posted about my bike being stolen from campus.

It was locked to the rack near the library for many nights.

There were almost never any other bikes locked at this rack except for one abundant bmx,

which also disappeared the same night, leaving pieces of cut chain that it was locked with.

Well, but another bike mysteriosly appeared to be left at the rack. It was a late model diamond back outlook, without cable in read derailleur, bent handle bar, bent right pedal and bent oversized saddle.

So it was left there absolutely unlocked for 4 nights.

So I tend to conclude that thief/s left this bike and rode mine away.

I rolled this bike to another locker near the police station (with camera survaillence) and locked it with a U-lock. I also think about telling police the diamond back, but not sure.

So, the question is, is it ethical for me to do that, or even wait and if no one claims it, try sell it or ride until I buy another bike...?

What do you guys think could be the case in all this events.

What would be ethical thing to do in this situation?

phinney

If it's not your bike leave it alone. Assuming it's the thief's bike is a big assumption.

Inoplanetyanin

Well, the coincidence of time seems very suggestive, (considering that there are almost no bikes left there for a single night, ever), plus the fact that it was left unlocked for 4 days.

Once I relocated it 400 feet down the walkway to a police station, noone claimed a lost or stolen bike. I went to the department and asked them today.

kuan

Stick a big sign where that bike was "left." But of course now that school's out the owner might not be on campus.

Inoplanetyanin

Yeah, I was thinking about putting a sign, or even returning the bike to the original rack and still keeping it locked.

If the owner returns and sees his/her bike locked, he/she can go to a police and get it cut. ...?

but on the other hand, is the thief return at night, he may try to get his bike back by cutting the U-lock.

While if it's near police department, he might not risk getting attention doing that.

There is at least one more week of finals.

suntreader

Two wrongs don't make a right... so don't steal it.

However, you may want to notify campus police and tell them your theory of the crime. They may confiscate the suspicious bike and give it to you if it goes unclaimed.

Inoplanetyanin

sounds good...

or they may not give it to me

P.S. I just brought it back to the original rack but still left a u-lock on it.

This way the owner if he for some reason couldn't get back to his bike earlier, would find it at the same place and all he would have to do is to ask police to cut the lock.

This seems like a fair price for leaving a bike unlocked for 4 days.

That could also be a thief, so theoretically police could some how question the person about MY bike... and maybe somehow determine that that is indeed likely to be a thief.

Would they bother to do it though...

operator

Well that's still wrong. Why do you even want such a crap bike?

kefin

Perhaps you have not read Mikhail's cross-country tour journals. He rode a $20 bike across the country!

BTW, Mikhail, I love your tour account! It's one of most inspirational accounts I've read! Fantastic! (But on your web site the entries suddenly stop after Day 30... ).

-Kevin

Inoplanetyanin

Kevin, thanks, I was very busy and (to tell the truth, a little unmotivated ) to continue with the journal.

I still have the original notes and a lot of free time coming up, so maybe I'll continue.

Operator.
I am in a situation where I need to ride a bike to get the groceries. (for two weeks). It's up to 5 miles radius, so walking is very difficult, time consuming, not safe, etc.

I think if I knew that that bike was indeed something a thief came on, I would definitely sell it (or rode for right now, out of necessity), than leaving it unlocked and waiting until some passer by will decide to take it with him.

And I really do not like the bike. It's very heavy, absolutely small, ghetto type , not my style, without gears... etc. (perhaps dirty, with desease on the handles)

Inoplanetyanin

Kevin, I am not sure what you are trying to say with that.

It was a great bike... on all levels

kefin

Well, I wouldn't do any loaded touring on a "ghetto bike"!

The Schwin you had was a classic!

Perhaps you can luck out another 80's tourer by checking out some of your local yard sales or head to the next bike swap in your area.

Mikhail, I'm sorry you lost your bike and I hope you can get a decent replacement soon!

-Kevin

Inoplanetyanin

Thanks Kevin.

You are right, it's mindless to tour on that diamondback.

I will be in Holland in 2 weeks, and hope to find there a nice bike cheap.

Holland is loaded with bikes.

Yeah, Schwinn was a classic. Classical old beatup road bike, most bums in downtown have Schwinns.

What do you ride?

kefin

I have a road bike that I save up a long time for (it's a Co-Motion Espresso). It's a really nice bike and fun to ride a light racer but it's no good for touring (which is something I've wanted to do for a long time but just didn't have the time). I'm in the process of saving up some money to buy a sturdy frame so I can build up a touring bike. Perhaps some day I'll manage to do a cross-country tour like you did! Reading all the journals on the Touring Forum (like the entries you posted while on tour) has given me that itch to travel!

Best of luck on your bike hunting!

-Kevin

Inoplanetyanin

Ok.
I never heard the name Co-Motion. It sounds like an exotic bike, and of course there are so many names, that probably no one could name them all.

Well, good luck to you as well in finding a frame you like.
Building your own bike also gives you the opportunity to select the exact components that fit you best, like gearing, saddle, riding position...

Have a nice riding weather up there in San Francisco.

Struggling biker in LA.

kefin

Thanks, Mikhail! If you ever pass by San Francisco, look me up. We have lots of hills and contant wind and fog! Beautiful riding all the way!

-Kevin

Geoff326

yea man the bay area has some killer wind

khuon

Co-Motion is better known for their tandems but they make excellent singles as well. They're a boutique builder based in Oregon. I'm currently saving up for a Co-Motion Espresso Co-Pilot (same as Espresso but with S+S couplers).