Scared of bike getting stolen
05-29-18, 11:33 AM
#2
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This may seem like a snarky answer, but it's not: It's really hard to steal a bike that's moving.
So, if you're riding your nice bike, ride it. On the other hand, if you're going somewhere that you'll need to stop and lock it up for any time, take the cheap single speed.
So, if you're riding your nice bike, ride it. On the other hand, if you're going somewhere that you'll need to stop and lock it up for any time, take the cheap single speed.
05-29-18, 11:51 AM
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05-29-18, 11:53 AM
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Stay out of sketchy areas when you ride! Chicago like all other cities has its bad areas and better areas. I lived in the suburbs a long time ago and knew which areas I didn't want to get out of my car in and others that while not wealthy were safe and pleasant places to visit. I'd be more concerned about locking the bike and leaving it or storing it in a place where it could be easily stolen. I had several friends who lived in town and owned expensive bikes. Never heard of one being stolen.
BTW, a lot of concern is just perception. When I moved to Chicagoland and had to register my vehicle I was warned by one co-worker that the DMV along the Eisenhower Expressway was in a really bad area. He made it sound like I would need an armed escort to go there. It wasn't at all bad and when I returned to my car it was still there. I think he was paranoid or maybe just prejudiced.
BTW, a lot of concern is just perception. When I moved to Chicagoland and had to register my vehicle I was warned by one co-worker that the DMV along the Eisenhower Expressway was in a really bad area. He made it sound like I would need an armed escort to go there. It wasn't at all bad and when I returned to my car it was still there. I think he was paranoid or maybe just prejudiced.
05-29-18, 12:09 PM
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Like an old friend...
... I heard of many people posting on Facebook of people stealing bikes (someone even snatched it out of their hands while they were sitting on a bench at a park).
So, my question is, how do I protect myself whenever I take a nicer bike out for a ride? Am I being too paranoid? Too scared!
So, my question is, how do I protect myself whenever I take a nicer bike out for a ride? Am I being too paranoid? Too scared!
05-29-18, 12:13 PM
#8
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Why not to get an insurance? For example, https://velosurance.com/ ?
It'll cover damage to the bike in case of the accidents as well.
I didn't tried them yet but I got a quote from them on a $2700 bike, AFAIR it was less than $15 a month. Not that bad for a piece of mind, IMHO.
It'll cover damage to the bike in case of the accidents as well.
I didn't tried them yet but I got a quote from them on a $2700 bike, AFAIR it was less than $15 a month. Not that bad for a piece of mind, IMHO.
05-29-18, 12:35 PM
#9
Junior Member
I don't know anything about bike insurance but I like Oso Polar's advice. If someone is brazen enough to steal a bike out of someones hands or just a couple feet away from the owner I can picture them knocking someones lights out (or worse) if they put up any resistance.
I only live a couple hours from chicago and have been there (driving) a handful of times and can understand your concern. I've ran into some really dicey people there a few times in areas I would of thought were pretty safe (lake shore drive near loyola univ comes to mind). Also, got somewhat lost once and had to pull off a highway (dan ryan i think?) to try to get directions and I seemed to attract a lot of bums looking for change to the point of even banging on my closed window ... gas station i stopped at the clerk window was a huge thick piece of plywood with a slot to exchange money (something i've never seen before here) eh, well you get the idea.
I only live a couple hours from chicago and have been there (driving) a handful of times and can understand your concern. I've ran into some really dicey people there a few times in areas I would of thought were pretty safe (lake shore drive near loyola univ comes to mind). Also, got somewhat lost once and had to pull off a highway (dan ryan i think?) to try to get directions and I seemed to attract a lot of bums looking for change to the point of even banging on my closed window ... gas station i stopped at the clerk window was a huge thick piece of plywood with a slot to exchange money (something i've never seen before here) eh, well you get the idea.
05-29-18, 12:43 PM
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Use some common sense and stop being scared. There is nothing that is going to 100% guarantee your bike won't get stolen. Go ride and enjoy and with some common sense, chances are you'll be fine. If not, take the insurance money and get another.
05-29-18, 12:45 PM
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05-29-18, 01:08 PM
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The easy answer? If you are worried, carry visible protection.
Or, don't ride through areas you are worried about being physically assaulted while on a bike. Heck, I occasionally ride through Pontiac MI, in many ways a worse city than Detroit proper,and this thought has never crossed my mind.
Also, get new friends on Facebook if they are bragging about stealing bikes.
Or, don't ride through areas you are worried about being physically assaulted while on a bike. Heck, I occasionally ride through Pontiac MI, in many ways a worse city than Detroit proper,and this thought has never crossed my mind.
Also, get new friends on Facebook if they are bragging about stealing bikes.
05-29-18, 01:30 PM
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Are you male or female... it shouldn't, but perhaps it does make a difference both for risk factors, and perceptions of those risk factors.
I've never been mugged... I can't imagine that it would be very common for someone to steal a bike with the owner around. Most thieves around here like to be unseen.
There were a few muggings/robberies at the University of Oregon campus this spring, and the local PD took them very seriously. I'm not seeing any resolution, but no recent reports either. Perhaps the criminals moved on as the heat was put on.
Anyway, when out on a ride, keep your bike with you all the time. You can take the bicycle into many restrooms. I do use outhouses from time to time, and figure I'll hear a person messing with my bike, and would certainly drop everything and run out with my pants down if I thought it was being stolen.
If I need to lock the good bike, it will generally be with the Kryptonite NY lock, but I don't like to carry that unless I need it. Perhaps I should keep a lighter lock in the bottom of my bag.
I've never been mugged... I can't imagine that it would be very common for someone to steal a bike with the owner around. Most thieves around here like to be unseen.
There were a few muggings/robberies at the University of Oregon campus this spring, and the local PD took them very seriously. I'm not seeing any resolution, but no recent reports either. Perhaps the criminals moved on as the heat was put on.
Anyway, when out on a ride, keep your bike with you all the time. You can take the bicycle into many restrooms. I do use outhouses from time to time, and figure I'll hear a person messing with my bike, and would certainly drop everything and run out with my pants down if I thought it was being stolen.
If I need to lock the good bike, it will generally be with the Kryptonite NY lock, but I don't like to carry that unless I need it. Perhaps I should keep a lighter lock in the bottom of my bag.
05-29-18, 01:52 PM
#14
Every day a winding road
Hey everyone, I recently joined this site because I wanted to join you guys in the discussion.
I been cycling more frequently now and every now and then, I would take out my 11s race bike to ride. I normally just ride on a cheap single speed.
I live in Chicago and I heard of many people posting on Facebook of people stealing bikes (someone even snatched it out of their hands while they were sitting on a bench at a park).
So, my question is, how do I protect myself whenever I take a nicer bike out for a ride? Am I being too paranoid? Too scared!
I been cycling more frequently now and every now and then, I would take out my 11s race bike to ride. I normally just ride on a cheap single speed.
I live in Chicago and I heard of many people posting on Facebook of people stealing bikes (someone even snatched it out of their hands while they were sitting on a bench at a park).
So, my question is, how do I protect myself whenever I take a nicer bike out for a ride? Am I being too paranoid? Too scared!
05-29-18, 01:57 PM
#16
Every day a winding road
05-29-18, 01:58 PM
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There is something to an image one portrays... although I'm not quite sure what it is. But, some people are likely perceived as easier targets than others.
I also try to be friendly towards the people I encounter. Perhaps that counts for something. Maybe those that are aloof are targeted more.
Also, as mentioned, where one hangs out. Don't take your $20K bike into the back alleys to buy drugs... not even steroids.
05-29-18, 02:25 PM
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05-29-18, 02:40 PM
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If you are literally afraid of someone stealing your bike while you are basically riding it, you need to get the hell out of wherever you live! About the biggest worry for me is leaving my bike outside a restroom when I go in to use it. But if you are sitting at a park bench or getting water, and the bike is basically within arms reach, and yet you are still terrified of your bike being snatched, then you're riding in the wrong areas...
05-29-18, 02:48 PM
#22
WALSTIB
@DreamRider85 , is that you?
Last edited by hillyman; 05-29-18 at 03:28 PM.
05-29-18, 05:28 PM
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You beat me to that answer...
My second answer is similar to real estate, location, location, location... It will be better for crime, traffic, and sanity.
Last edited by BillyD; 05-31-18 at 02:21 PM. Reason: Gun talk
05-29-18, 05:28 PM
#25
Junior Member
One trick that I used to do was to put the bike in the tallest gear before stopping. Or even loosen the QR. Would give a bit more time to catch someone in the act. Of course I'm 6'4" and 200 lbs. YMMV. By the way, rode bikes all over Los Angeles for years and never lost one.
Last edited by Oakman; 05-29-18 at 05:31 PM. Reason: Clarity