Vigilance
08-01-13 | 07:26 AM
#26
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From: Plano, TX
Bikes: 1982 Fuji Supreme, Specialized 2012 Roubaix Compact. 1981? Raleigh Reliant mixte, Velo Orange Campeur (in progress)
MassiveD:
You said that you don't leave your bike, so I am curious, how do you do that when getting food or using the rest room?
You said that you don't leave your bike, so I am curious, how do you do that when getting food or using the rest room?
08-01-13 | 08:06 AM
#27
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From: Central NJ
Bikes: MGX MTB, Fuji Supreme, Miyata 90 and a Trek 700 in the works
I have never locked my bike while on tour, however a recent experience has driven home the idea that maybe I should. While having coffee the other day in a coffee shop. I noticed someone steal my Surly LHT, I stopped the thief after he had ridden the bike maybe 10 feet after which he left hurriedly in a waiting car. ( I had his license plate number in this, a very long story ). The Police said little could be done. The reason for the post however is to ask what other tourists do to prevent a bike theft, when leaving a hotel on a walk through a local community, or possibly while taking bus tour to a local attraction away from your tent, or even while sleeping in your tent. For the later I've thought of a bell , as well as a string attached to the tent to provide some warning. Idea's ?
Frame locks will not be effective when a thief with a van or pickup truck or a larger vehicle could carry the entire bike, without riding it. A cable lock attached to a pole or other stationary object is the best way to lock a bike. I used only a cheap frame lock on my bike in India - as everyone else did, because at that time everyone rode a bicycle or a scooter and very few people had cars. In the western world it is easy to steal a bike and carry it away in a vehicle.
I read a tour account where a young man on a tour from CA to VA lost his bike in Phoenix, AZ while visiting a convenience store. He had to buy a new one to continue.
The famous world traveler Heinz Stucke had his bike stolen a couple of times, too.
Last edited by ak08820; 08-01-13 at 08:15 AM.
08-01-13 | 02:46 PM
#28
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From: Gig Harbor, WA
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, Dahon Mu P 24 , Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Rodriguez Tandem, Wheeler MTB
In any case this event has made me even more vigilant than even before, so I consider myself lucky. Today while having my coffee, I had my bike locked to itself with a cable lock. At least it would slow the process down a bit.
08-01-13 | 04:39 PM
#29
Fraser Valley Dave
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From: Fraser Valley British Columbia Canada
Bikes: devinci monaco (upgraded)
When the police make statements such as that one, it goes to show us the utter frustration they have with many cases once they go to the courts. The police can catch and arrest suspected perpetrators only to see them get off on some technicality or loophole their clever lawyers find, and it doesn't matter if it's in Canada or the USA.
08-01-13 | 06:17 PM
#30
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From: Central NJ
Bikes: MGX MTB, Fuji Supreme, Miyata 90 and a Trek 700 in the works
When a thief is caught red handed and the lic plate of the getaway car is noted, he should be punished if the victim desires. There is no excuse to not to book a complaint on the ground of frustration, etc. Just the hassle of appearing in court should deter the thief in future. If cops don't cooperate, may be a local TV station should be contacted. Many have an advocate to deal with such officials, e.g., WB-11 in NYC area has "Help Me Howard". If it was a $100 X-mart bike, it would be a misdemeanor. Stealing a $4-5K bike is a major crime. No wonder they shot horse thieves in the old west.
08-01-13 | 06:26 PM
#31
Every day a winding road
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: 2005 Cannondale SR500, 2008 Trek 7.3 FX, Jamis Aurora
A custom bike can run to many thousands of dollars. Quality components can add up, especially paying full retail for them. Quality camping gear isn't cheap, either. Then you might have to factor in things such as a laptop or notebook computer, which with a decent processor, can run to several thousand dollars.
Maybe $5,000 for bike with LX or above components, decent wheels and tyres, racks, saddle, panniers and handlebar bag; $2,000 for camping gear including tent, down bag and decent mat, plus cooking gear (Ti anyone?); and $2,000 for computer and other electronic gizmos such as smartphone, GPS computer. Then quality clothing and rain gear at $600 or $700. There isn't much change out of $10,000.
Personally, I doubt that the stuff I tour with adds up to that. But even half that sure would put a decent sized hole in my discretionary spending for a while if I had to replace it all, let alone the time as well as the need to find alternative transport options to get home again.
And the emotional trauma is inestimable if you are in any way attached to your bike.
Maybe $5,000 for bike with LX or above components, decent wheels and tyres, racks, saddle, panniers and handlebar bag; $2,000 for camping gear including tent, down bag and decent mat, plus cooking gear (Ti anyone?); and $2,000 for computer and other electronic gizmos such as smartphone, GPS computer. Then quality clothing and rain gear at $600 or $700. There isn't much change out of $10,000.
Personally, I doubt that the stuff I tour with adds up to that. But even half that sure would put a decent sized hole in my discretionary spending for a while if I had to replace it all, let alone the time as well as the need to find alternative transport options to get home again.
And the emotional trauma is inestimable if you are in any way attached to your bike.
08-01-13 | 06:38 PM
#32
Cop talk for, "We are too dam lazy to do our jobs."
I use a cable lock and the straps around the brake levers, plus keep the bicycle in sight as much as possible.
I like the bell idea during night camping.
I use a cable lock and the straps around the brake levers, plus keep the bicycle in sight as much as possible.
I like the bell idea during night camping.
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08-01-13 | 06:53 PM
#33
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From: Gig Harbor, WA
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, Dahon Mu P 24 , Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Rodriguez Tandem, Wheeler MTB
08-01-13 | 09:07 PM
#34
Every day a winding road
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: 2005 Cannondale SR500, 2008 Trek 7.3 FX, Jamis Aurora
Bull. Real simple. OP had no proof. The plate number is meaningless. Even if the police could track down the car, there is a good chance it does not belong to the actual thief. The owner could just say he was not in the area or he might admit he was but was just driving by and op just grabbed his plate number. Even if the police could bring in the thief for the op to identify, he could simply say he grabbed it by mistake or some other excuse, like it was not him. The very low chance of prosecution combined with the low property value taken and the fact the theft was only attempted, just does not make it worth it to pursue. As a taxpayer, I would be pissed if the local police pursued such a case rather than protecting the community even if all that means is being on patrol.
08-01-13 | 10:16 PM
#35
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From: Gig Harbor, WA
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, Dahon Mu P 24 , Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Rodriguez Tandem, Wheeler MTB
I really have no problem with your post, but for one item. That is that it was an attempted theft. The cop I talked with described it as such as well. But my question to him was if a bank is robbed and the thief drops the money as he is leaving the bank, is it still attempted theft ? I really don't know, but my guess is that it would not be considered a miss demeanor , or would it ?
08-01-13 | 10:54 PM
#36
Bull. Real simple. OP had no proof. The plate number is meaningless. Even if the police could track down the car, there is a good chance it does not belong to the actual thief. The owner could just say he was not in the area or he might admit he was but was just driving by and op just grabbed his plate number. Even if the police could bring in the thief for the op to identify, he could simply say he grabbed it by mistake or some other excuse, like it was not him. The very low chance of prosecution combined with the low property value taken and the fact the theft was only attempted, just does not make it worth it to pursue. As a taxpayer, I would be pissed if the local police pursued such a case rather than protecting the community even if all that means is being on patrol.
As soon as the thief removed the bicycle from the rack, it was a theft. Attempted theft would have been if the thief had attempted to cut a lock but failed. In that case they could prosecute for property damage, vandalism.
The cops have a good witness. Prosecutors here have gotten three convictions for Hit&Run, reckless endangerment and terroristic threatening on three different individuals on my testimony alone.
So the claim the cops had nothing to go on is BS.
You can bet if it was a cops bike, the thief would have been prosecuted.
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08-01-13 | 11:05 PM
#37
Depends on the value of your bicycle and the local laws. I found a reference that stated the normal legal amount for a theft to jump to a felony is $700 in 2012.
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08-02-13 | 02:56 AM
#38
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From: Madison, WI
^ +1 All the stuff he said.
Northwestrider, I think you should post a formal complaint about the situation and demand that they at least Act like they're attempting to do something about it.
And sadly, it's a good thing you didn't tackle and beat the thief like he deserved. I probably would have ended up in jail if it had been me in your situation. In our screwed up system, You'd most likely be the one in trouble for assaulting the thief...
Northwestrider, I think you should post a formal complaint about the situation and demand that they at least Act like they're attempting to do something about it.
And sadly, it's a good thing you didn't tackle and beat the thief like he deserved. I probably would have ended up in jail if it had been me in your situation. In our screwed up system, You'd most likely be the one in trouble for assaulting the thief...
08-02-13 | 07:28 AM
#39
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From: Gig Harbor, WA
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, Dahon Mu P 24 , Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Rodriguez Tandem, Wheeler MTB
^ +1 All the stuff he said.
Northwestrider, I think you should post a formal complaint about the situation and demand that they at least Act like they're attempting to do something about it.
And sadly, it's a good thing you didn't tackle and beat the thief like he deserved.
Northwestrider, I think you should post a formal complaint about the situation and demand that they at least Act like they're attempting to do something about it.
And sadly, it's a good thing you didn't tackle and beat the thief like he deserved.
08-02-13 | 06:53 PM
#40
Every day a winding road
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: 2005 Cannondale SR500, 2008 Trek 7.3 FX, Jamis Aurora
I really have no problem with your post, but for one item. That is that it was an attempted theft. The cop I talked with described it as such as well. But my question to him was if a bank is robbed and the thief drops the money as he is leaving the bank, is it still attempted theft ? I really don't know, but my guess is that it would not be considered a miss demeanor , or would it ?
08-03-13 | 12:16 AM
#41
^^
So there is a different definition of theft between money and an expensive bicycle - Surly LHT?
Many bank robbers get less than a Surly LHT. Cop had no response to OPs bank question because cop was caught in his BS.
So there is a different definition of theft between money and an expensive bicycle - Surly LHT?
Many bank robbers get less than a Surly LHT. Cop had no response to OPs bank question because cop was caught in his BS.
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08-03-13 | 01:44 AM
#42
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From: Kherson, Ukraine
Bikes: Old steel GT's, for touring and commuting
I've only done a few short tours. The last two, I brought a medium sized u-lock with me. Next chance I get to tour (likely next summer sadly), I'm tempted to spray paint a Palmy black. I also plan on mounting a ring lock.
08-03-13 | 02:02 AM
#43
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From: Kherson, Ukraine
Bikes: Old steel GT's, for touring and commuting
Why did the police say that little could be done? If you have the lic. plate number, you could file a complaint and they can track down the culprit from the lic. plate.
Frame locks will not be effective when a thief with a van or pickup truck or a larger vehicle could carry the entire bike, without riding it. A cable lock attached to a pole or other stationary object is the best way to lock a bike. I used only a cheap frame lock on my bike in India - as everyone else did, because at that time everyone rode a bicycle or a scooter and very few people had cars. In the western world it is easy to steal a bike and carry it away in a vehicle.
I read a tour account where a young man on a tour from CA to VA lost his bike in Phoenix, AZ while visiting a convenience store. He had to buy a new one to continue.
The famous world traveler Heinz Stucke had his bike stolen a couple of times, too.
Frame locks will not be effective when a thief with a van or pickup truck or a larger vehicle could carry the entire bike, without riding it. A cable lock attached to a pole or other stationary object is the best way to lock a bike. I used only a cheap frame lock on my bike in India - as everyone else did, because at that time everyone rode a bicycle or a scooter and very few people had cars. In the western world it is easy to steal a bike and carry it away in a vehicle.
I read a tour account where a young man on a tour from CA to VA lost his bike in Phoenix, AZ while visiting a convenience store. He had to buy a new one to continue.
The famous world traveler Heinz Stucke had his bike stolen a couple of times, too.
Lots of cops in the US are jerks.
08-03-13 | 02:08 AM
#44
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Thankfully, the police officers we've been working with during the loss and recovery of Machak (https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...Machak-is-Back!) have been great! 
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08-03-13 | 05:38 AM
#45
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From: Central NJ
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However, the reluctance by the law to pursue the perp is a bigger offense on society. As I suggested earlier, a public advocate like a TV station should be sought out.
08-03-13 | 06:48 AM
#46
Every day a winding road
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: 2005 Cannondale SR500, 2008 Trek 7.3 FX, Jamis Aurora
How do the police know it is an expensive bicycle? For all they know it s a $100 wallmart special.
08-03-13 | 08:31 AM
#47
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From: Plano, TX
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In my experience, they (the police) just don't care. I was purposely hit by a car, with multiple witnesses who had the license plate number and the responding police officer refused to do anything. He said I could follow up with Homicide, who told me they were too busy (in Seattle!) to help with mere attempted homicide! They ever so helpfully pointed to a giant stack of mug shot books and offered for me to go through them to see if I could ID the guy. When I asked them to just look up his address from the license plate number they refused.
Lots of cops in the US are jerks.
Lots of cops in the US are jerks.
The police are not the final arbiter, only the first ones you should contact about criminal activity.
08-03-13 | 10:35 AM
#48
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From: Kherson, Ukraine
Bikes: Old steel GT's, for touring and commuting
That is when you bump it up the chain of command; all the while documenting who your talking to and what responses you are getting. Eventually you'll get to the DA; whom if they also refuse to respond now gives you ample evidence to go to a local news outlet (you did keep the records I just suggested right?) and/or a civil attorney.
The police are not the final arbiter, only the first ones you should contact about criminal activity.
The police are not the final arbiter, only the first ones you should contact about criminal activity.
08-03-13 | 01:37 PM
#49
Basic cop 101, determine value of the property.
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08-03-13 | 02:25 PM
#50
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From: Gig Harbor, WA
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, Dahon Mu P 24 , Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Rodriguez Tandem, Wheeler MTB
No one asked the value of the bike, police or operator. In any case, it's a lesson learned for me. I'm using a cable lock when ever I'm off the bike, and back it up with a steady eye.
