My bike was stolen on Thursday. I saw the guy stealing it but couldn't catch him. I begged him to give it back as he rode away, but he just turned and looked at me and went around the corner. I have to deal with the loss of the bike that taught me to love biking and also accept the fact that some people are capable of taking something as meaningful and wonderful as a bike. Does anyone have advice on dealing or stories of their own?

Unhook the brake cables (if you can) when you have it locked up.
I keep my less desirable bikes in easier to access places. (kind of a hassle to try and go 2 flights of stairs).
My most precious bike is locked up right here in my room.

I've lost _all_ my stuff three times (burglaries, hurricanes). It's just stuff; it doesn't matter.

Cell phone camera at hand? If not, did you try to remember physical details to provide a good description?

A guy who would ruthlessly steal a bike out in the open from under the eyes of an owner probably wouldn't be persuaded by begging, but he might be deterred if you start to scream for help as loud as you can, and then also other people can assist you or at least serve as witnesses.

If the guy simply walked up and took it, he probably hangs around the neighborhood or comes through regularly. Keep a look out, and ask neighbors if they've seen him.

Was the bike registered with the police or other group? (You do have a picture, yes?)

Did you call the police at the time? Have you filed a stolen bike report (on the slim but non-zero chance that it may be recovered--at least you saw who did it, most victims don't)?

If you didn't lock it properly, you will with your next bike, but my condolences about your loss.

What a stupid ass idea. How about just getting a better lock instead of doing something that can get you sued.

Something is really wrong with people that worry about getting sued by bike thieves.

Who actually think disconnecting their brakes will actually do something about bike theft.

It's possible. At work we have to sign a waiver that we won't go after thieves who steal from our warehouse. Our company doesn't want to get sued should the bad guy get hurt during a confrontation. As a matter of fact, if we go after a thief we are guaranteed loss of job and no coverage if WE get hurt.

People do it and get away with it. *shrugs*

Mary, I'm sorry for the loss. It really sucks because you know that nobody will ever appreciate the bike as much as you do. But the thing is, you WERE able to "grow" because of that bike. And that will always stay with you.

Another way to look at it is: 1. Either the guy really needed a bike to ride for transportation issues, 2. He needed to sell it to survive, or 3. He sold it to support a bad habit or addiction. The latter will bite him in the butt one day.

I wonder what these guys are in for, then?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXtP_3qJUwE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8qj4rkfINo

The second video actually includes the "payoff"; the first is kind of lame.

Harbour fantasies of violent revenge and move on. Maybe one day you'll get your chance. For now, just entertain yourself thinking of the fun you'll have getting another bike.

Siu, that really sucks about your company. What a bunch of spineless asswarts.

I've had two bikes stolen in the past. Once it's gone, it's gone. All you can really do is learn from the experience, and move on. Having a bike stolen is a good excuse to go out and buy the one in the LBS you've been lusting after, so go and do it. You'll feel better afterward.

I kind of like the idea of unhooking the brake cables. Thief is hauling @$$ trying to leave the scene of the crime and comes up to a busy intersection and reaches and squeezes and nothin' happening! Gets creamed by the 15X bus to downtown!
Brilliant.

'Nother level: unlock the brakes, plus leave an MP3 player with sound-blocking earphones on the bike for the thief.

It is tough to lose something you love. And, several of my bikes are very dear to my heart. So, I keep several "trashmo" bikes around...bikes that are great to ride, but to old and ugly for any crook to steal. If I'm going somewhere that requires my bike be out of my sight for more than five minutes or so, I take one of my Trashmo bikes.

Even then, the bike has at least two locks on it. A beefy u-lock around the rear wheel and a thick steel locking post set in concrete. A second lock to secure the front wheel to the frame. And, this is for a bike so ugly you couldn't give it away.

A valuable bike that you love? It should never be out of your sight. Even two of the best locks on the market won't stop a highly skilled, well-equipped crook for more than ten or fifteen minutes.

You can certainly unhook your brake cables, just don't admit to it in court. It;s for revenge, not to prevent the crime.

Get another bike. I have had 3 bikes stolen. No big deal.

That's assuming it even goes to court.

Anyone who has ever had a bike stolen will realise that the police are reluctant to even investigate such incidents at best, and more than likely won't do anything at all. Basically, once a bike is stolen, it's gone unless you find it in a second-hand shop or abandoned by the thief somewhere. The practical upshot of all this is that the prospect of actually being found out about something like this without admitting it are somewhat less likely than that of a snowball changing the climate in hell.

I only wish I'd thought of it back in '95, where I arrived on the scene just in time to see a thief riding down the road on my bike. If the guy had crashed and injured himself, I might have got the bike back.