bike thieves now cutting racks
12-09-12, 09:01 PM
#1
aka: Mike J.
Thread Starter
bike thieves now cutting racks
@sonofabike posted this pic on twitter stating that thieves are now cutting those large steel tube bike racks with sawzalls.
https://t.co/XX7602pP
(not sure if the image will link, picture shows one of those invertwd-U steel tube bike racks cut through.)
Be carefull out there. I think this one was in Oakland California.
https://t.co/XX7602pP
(not sure if the image will link, picture shows one of those invertwd-U steel tube bike racks cut through.)
Be carefull out there. I think this one was in Oakland California.
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Last edited by treebound; 12-30-12 at 10:50 AM.
12-09-12, 09:46 PM
#3
Shimano Certified
And it didn't seem odd to people to see a random person sawzalling a town fixture? I know if I was a pedestrian I would have been calling someone.
12-09-12, 09:50 PM
#4
Mmm hm!
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This has also happened several times in Portland. The best thing you can do is never lock up a bike worth more than $500 if it will be out of sight for longer than 10 minutes. Better than that: get a junker from CL and use it for shopping/errands.
12-09-12, 09:52 PM
#5
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I've used spotter/group format for the real risk areas too. Rotate who gets sentry duty and nothing gets lost 
12-09-12, 10:10 PM
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That's one of the reasons I bought a Brompton. If I go somewhere I just fold up the bike and take it with me.
I am surprised, however. I see so many bikes locked up with nothing but a cable lock it seems that cutting a rack like that would be too big of a risk, even if an expensive bike was locked to it.
I am surprised, however. I see so many bikes locked up with nothing but a cable lock it seems that cutting a rack like that would be too big of a risk, even if an expensive bike was locked to it.
12-10-12, 04:25 PM
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Wow seriously someone cut through that to get a bike? That had to make a ton of noise and sparks. I'm sorry, but there had to be someone around to see/hear this and to call it in or something. Good grief.
12-10-12, 04:34 PM
#9
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12-10-12, 05:28 PM
#10
born again cyclist
i use my folder to avoid leaving a bike unattended on the street most of the time, but even on the occasions when i do street lock one of my regular bikes to make a quick run into a store, i make sure that i'm totally willing to lose anything that i lock up. if you ain't willing to part with it, never leave it locked up out on the street. that's why my titanium road bike is never left unattended anywhere outside. i'm just not willing to lose it.
12-10-12, 05:35 PM
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Most heavy duty U Locks and chains are a lot stronger and harder to cut...then bike locking racks, easier for the thieves to cut the bike rack then a lock. Some bike racks out there can be cut with a hacksaw, no noise, no sparks..easy to do at night. No locked bike is 100% safe out there
12-10-12, 06:30 PM
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Who decided to put such crappy hollow racks?
It's so huge that it makes it nearly impossible to lock a bike on it. But in addition to that there is nothing inside.
It's so huge that it makes it nearly impossible to lock a bike on it. But in addition to that there is nothing inside.
Last edited by erig007; 12-10-12 at 06:35 PM.
12-10-12, 06:45 PM
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and bike tubes are even faster to cut..... part out via craigslist = more money if the thief knows what they are doing
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12-10-12, 08:05 PM
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Yeah, I've seen pictures and videos of the aftermath of some pretty heavy duty attacks on locked up bikes, and I don't get it either. I see so many decent, fenceable, strippable bikes that could be stolen by a quick, quiet clip with 12" bolt cutters. No bonus points for accomplishing something the hard way.
Last edited by tcs; 12-10-12 at 08:46 PM.
12-10-12, 08:17 PM
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The last several bike rack design competitions I've run across emphasized aesthetics, installed cost and maintenance cost. The juries were made up of city planners, artists, celebrities and professors of design with nary an experienced cycle commuter in sight.
Hey Mr/s City Planner, I wonder if a bunch of cheap @$$ junker bikes locked up all over town was the aesthetic you were going for?
Hey Mr/s City Planner, I wonder if a bunch of cheap @$$ junker bikes locked up all over town was the aesthetic you were going for?
12-10-12, 08:38 PM
#16
Senior Member
I live in Oakland, and bike theft is certainly a problem here, but I think it's actually worse in SF. Fortunately for me, I have not lost a bike yet. My theft deterrent is simple: Cheap bike + Expensive lock.
12-10-12, 08:41 PM
#17
Mmm hm!
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One thing that sucks is having to buy a junker lockup CL bike. Those kinds of bikes are rarely enjoyable to ride. And after many of us sink thousands into our bikes we want to ride our awesomely crafted steeds....
A no win situation
A no win situation
12-10-12, 09:00 PM
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Makes me feel lucky with my bike parking situation(s) thus far. The only time I've had to park it outside in a somewhat risky location, it's been for short grocery or shop runs.
It is crazy that someone can cut through a rack like that without getting caught. Dontchya think passers by might at least call the police? *sigh*
It is crazy that someone can cut through a rack like that without getting caught. Dontchya think passers by might at least call the police? *sigh*
12-10-12, 09:26 PM
#20
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I'm that guy. I buy as many CL beaters as I can. I ride to the train on my favorite ride then ride garbage (purple 24" pacific) for 3 miles after the train to work. I leave the beater in NYC every night and its been there every morning. I maintain it and have it "dialed in"..........for garbage, but it is not an enjoyable ride.
12-13-12, 06:49 AM
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12-13-12, 07:04 AM
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In 11 years of riding in Philly, the only thing I've had stolen was a pump.
12-13-12, 07:23 AM
#24
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Wow, I never hardly think of anything like that. I just immobilize my bike with a cable lock in the parking lot at the office during the day. Nothing to lock it to. I can see it through my office window. It would never stay there at night though. I can always put it inside if needed. I guess I'm fortunate for that.
12-13-12, 08:16 AM
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Thread was perfect timing - showed it to my son who is in school in Seattle, and will show it to my oldest who is getting bikes for him and the bride for wedding gifts in the spring (they will live in Portland, bike theft capital of the world - I guess people define "cycling friendly" in different ways).
