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

[purpless77.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry this happened. Definitely keep bringing your bike in at night.
But, I'm honestly surprised that anybody would leave their bike out. You live in the city and while it's not Compton it's still a city. Don't look at any area as being "friendly". A lot of crime is hit or miss. You may have had a good experience living in Cambridge while someone else on your street might not have had such a good experience. I can't stress this stuff enough here. Protect yourself and protect your belongings. Always be cautious. It's better to be safe then sorry.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

Somerville has a much higher rate of bike (and car) theft than Cambridge, actually.

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

good to know. where did you read that? i'm curious.

[djdreilinger.livejournal.com]

I just wrote an article (http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/08/31/thieves_rack_up_bikes_locked_or_not/) on the increase in Somerville and Cambridge bike theft. To my surprise, the most recent Boston data showed that bike theft had not gone up.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

The car theft stats you can find various places, including at CityRating.com. In 2003, Somerville had 521 reports of car theft, versus Cambridge's 410 reports of car theft: when you capitate it, that puts Somerville's rate much, much higher, considering it has only three-quarters the population of Cambridge.

As to bike theft, I didn't have any stats until I read djdreilinger's piece! I just had that impression from talking with police in both communities.

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

interesting! thanks!

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

Not everyone has a garage or otherwise reasonably accessible indoor space in which to store their bike. This is surprising?

[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.

[cutieperson]

you could also consider something ceiling mounted.

[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.