Walking around Lakeview with an angle grinder

On Friday afternoon someone cut through my U-lock with an angle grinder!

In the middle of the afternoon!!  

 

Right after I got done warning someone about locking up with a cable lock.  

 

BYE BYE bike #2 to Chicago bike thieves. Great way to start the summer.

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Permalink Reply by Aaron Bussey on May 3, 2010 at 4:43am
I lock up and use locking skewers on my hubs as an added deterrent, but nothing will really stop some asshole from taking your shit if they want to bad enough - sorry Laura :(
Permalink Reply by pjc jr on May 3, 2010 at 4:49am
WOW! I am sorry to hear you have been a victim twice within a year in this city. Hang in there kiddo, let me know if you want to borrow a ride?
Permalink Reply by Chucko on May 3, 2010 at 5:01am
I pretty much only ride my beaters around the city for this reason. I have an old Trek steel mountain bike, and an old Raleigh fixie that I'll pretty much leave anywhere (albeit still locked with good ulocks). I will only ride one of the good bikes if I'm going to be keeping them within sight, or perhaps only need to lock it somewhere safer out of the city, and even then only briefly. One thing that might help would be to lock to different racks once in a while, and not in the same place every day. Thieves that are casing the area for bikes they want (which it sounds like the Lakeview thief is since only some bikes were lifted) have a harder time if they see a bike they want, but can't get a fix on where it usually is. Unfortunately though, if they want it, they'll find a way to get it. Bastards.
Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on May 3, 2010 at 7:09am
I like it. Let's do it Saturday May 8th.

Ron said:
This ride would start around 7:30 A.M. end around 9:30. So it wouldn't conflict with most rides. Start next week is fine by me. Oh and don't forget to bring cameras. Take pics of obviously stolen shit and post them here. If that's ok.
Permalink Reply by Laura on May 3, 2010 at 8:29am
I agree we need a plan before we get this rolling.
Should we start an event page and start planning from there?
It would be great if we could make this a weekly or biweekly event in attempt to locate stolen bikes.

Saturday is my "graduation" from my internship (the reason I am in this city) and I thought this would prevent me from riding with you guys. But I decided that if I pack on my fancy clothes with me I can ride with you guys and just change at the ceremony!


H3N3 said:
Better to have someone assigned to be at home by a phone with an internet connection ready to search the Stolen Bike Registry and other online reporting sites and contact the owner if there's a =definite= match.

Not really sure what good a bunch of pictures of "obviously stolen bikes" is going to do anyone, unless your intent is to harass the thieves further underground (in which case you should be aware the swap is open Thursday and Sunday as well).

You guys really need to be there =by= 7:30 A.M.
Permalink Reply by Michael Perz on May 3, 2010 at 8:43am
Laura said:
I agree we need a plan before we get this rolling.

Perhaps step one might be to take the conversation off of a public message board where thieves might be lurking? Just a thought.
Permalink Reply by Vilda on May 3, 2010 at 8:53am
Sadly, we do have to be suspicious of fellow riders but only so many precautions can be made and a ride down there in force would at least show the bike thieves that we won't accept this garbage. I'd be more happy if we caught one of these shit birds in the act (oh the thumping i would deal out!) but I'll settle for recovery of stolen property.

I would say that it shouldn't be a regular event but a "spontaneous" event so that no planning on the part of the thieves attempting to sell can be made.
Permalink Reply by Ron on May 3, 2010 at 9:08am
Sounds like its a go. Meet at 7:30am 5/08. This is not a sting. It's a ride. The purpose is to have fun and to reclaim OPS. Other Peoples Shit. Who else is in?
Permalink Reply by Dr. Doom on May 3, 2010 at 9:15am
I don't see what it hurts to have the conversation on a public list. If a hot bike dealer sees a mob gathering and decides not to sell at the swap meet that's... good! Do it a few times and it might get him thinking about other ways to spend his Saturday and put a little bit of a dent in the market, which strikes me as part of the point. Actually finding a stolen bike would just be a bonus.

Don't think we need anyone staying at home checking the stolen bike list, unless that stretch of Ashland has particularly bad 3G reception.
Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on May 3, 2010 at 10:02am
My worry would be that by sending the message they cannot sell at the flea market we are sending a message that it is easier to scrap bikes...

Dr. Doom said:
I don't see what it hurts to have the conversation on a public list. If a hot bike dealer sees a mob gathering and decides not to sell at the swap meet that's... good! Do it a few times and it might get him thinking about other ways to spend his Saturday and put a little bit of a dent in the market, which strikes me as part of the point. Actually finding a stolen bike would just be a bonus.

Don't think we need anyone staying at home checking the stolen bike list, unless that stretch of Ashland has particularly bad 3G reception.
Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on May 3, 2010 at 10:09am
I think there's value in reducing the size of the market. So we're set. 5/8/10 7:30 am Swap-O-Rama. Anyone want to ride down from wicker park?

notoriousDUG said:
My worry would be that by sending the message they cannot sell at the flea market we are sending a message that it is easier to scrap bikes...

Dr. Doom said:
I don't see what it hurts to have the conversation on a public list. If a hot bike dealer sees a mob gathering and decides not to sell at the swap meet that's... good! Do it a few times and it might get him thinking about other ways to spend his Saturday and put a little bit of a dent in the market, which strikes me as part of the point. Actually finding a stolen bike would just be a bonus.

Don't think we need anyone staying at home checking the stolen bike list, unless that stretch of Ashland has particularly bad 3G reception.
Permalink Reply by Laura on May 3, 2010 at 10:22am
Halsted should get us almost all the way there. We should find a coffee shop on halsted to meet at. any suggestions? I think we should plan on leaving said location at 6:45 (damn thats early) to get there by 7:30. someone suggest a meeting spot and I'll make an event for it.

Kevin Conway said:
I think there's value in reducing the size of the market. So we're set. 5/8/10 7:30 am Swap-O-Rama. Anyone want to ride down from wicker park?

notoriousDUG said:
My worry would be that by sending the message they cannot sell at the flea market we are sending a message that it is easier to scrap bikes...

Dr. Doom said:
I don't see what it hurts to have the conversation on a public list. If a hot bike dealer sees a mob gathering and decides not to sell at the swap meet that's... good! Do it a few times and it might get him thinking about other ways to spend his Saturday and put a little bit of a dent in the market, which strikes me as part of the point. Actually finding a stolen bike would just be a bonus.

Don't think we need anyone staying at home checking the stolen bike list, unless that stretch of Ashland has particularly bad 3G reception.

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