rampant bike thieves

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

There are some serious bike thieves on or around Willow Avenue.

After parking my bike in front of the house for a year, nothing happened until last week, when someone stole my wheel. It was an old Trek, and time for an upgrade anyway, but still really annoying.

So then I got a newer bike from Craigslist. I bought a cable, which I've wrapped through my wheels in addition to the U Lock I was already using. At night I brought the bike inside EVERY night but Saturday. Saturday the downpour was so bad, and I was busy, so I flaked on bringing the bike inside.

Sunday I was ready to ride my bike to the Union Square flea market, only to discover that the seat was missing.

I understand now that I will ALWAYS have to park my bike inside at night. But I find it ironic that after living on Columbia St. in Cambridge for 4 years (an area where people shook their heads in dismay upon me telling them I lived "across from the projects"), the worst theft has happened right here on friendly Willow.

Comments

[ron_newman]

I don't know if Central Street is "near you", because I don't know where you are. It's a long street.

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

I saw a bike on Willow Ave. a couple of days ago that had the seat lying on the sidewalk right next to the bike. Maybe someone just pulled the seat off for a prank, and then someone else took the seat?

[ron_newman]

What is the purpose of a quick-release seat?

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

Now, now, I call foul, using logic!

[elbren]

so that you can take off the seat when you park the bike, and bring it inside with you. (it sounds ironic, but I'm serious.)

[ron_newman]

But why would I ever want to do that?

[elbren]

so that someone doesn't steal it!

[haptotrope.livejournal.com]

there is a secret methodology of looping the lock around a rear-triangle/toptube, and hooking it through the rails that hold the seat.

Then you don't have to mess with it to have it be secured.

Also make your bike look as crappy as possible. Lots of stickers, wierd paint job, and include a piece of paper with your name/phone number in each of the wheels (so that if you get a flat and they take it to a shop, they will call you -- because they will have your number when they pull the tube out.)

[haptotrope.livejournal.com]

to adjust it slightly sans tools.

like when I wear heels, or thick boots.

[hissilliness.livejournal.com]

To adjust seat-height for different riders. For example, the other guy who rides the Redbones delivery bike likes having the seat A LOT lower than I do. So when I come in after he's done a shift, I always need to adjust it back up to maximum height.

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

yeah... a video camera may work, but in terms of the psychology of theft, people are less likely to steal locked bikes in front of stores b/c they don't know when you're returning. i feel like by the time video footage is caught, the bike is already gone. i use my bike constantly so obviously i'd rather it just not get stolen than try to track down the thief afterwards. but yes, a video camera would be better than nothing.

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

ha interesting! the post was gone too. i live down by Powderhouse, is that where you saw it?

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

these are great ideas, especially re: putting my name and number inside the wheels

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

thanks

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

seriously...i'd like to park my bike inside but we have no hallway and i feel like it's unfair to my roommates, though they do use the driveway for their cars. i have no car, so i feel like it's fair to park my bike inside. maybe i should get a wall mount, but i don't even know if we have a wall available for it.

[m00n.livejournal.com]

I'd think it would act as a deterrent more than anything. Especially if it actually resulted in a few arrests. I figure if a thief has to choose between a place where his act might be caught on tape and one where it probably won't, they'll choose the latter if it's otherwise a tossup.

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

good point. awhile ago on this site someone posted about recruiting young reps for the Somerville City Council to showcase the issues which concern us. maybe we could find out who is going to those meetings and broach the video camera subject.

[cutieperson]

you could also consider something ceiling mounted.

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

No, I saw it on Willow Avenue (maybe across from the Brown School, or in that general area). If I recall correctly, the seat was on the post on the ground, separate from the bicycle. The bike was locked up.

[alexdw.livejournal.com]

That is presupposing that the thief has brains to begin with...

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

mnnn, i live right by the Brown School but on the other side.

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

wow, awesome! do you think it would be hard to use for someone 5'4? it could be great if it works!

[cutieperson]

i doubt it as it uses pulleys to raise and lower.

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

It was on the even side of the street, across from the Brown School (or thereabouts).

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

well, it's presupposing that they don't want to get caught.