The Chainlink

Clybourn Metra station bike thefts

I feel obligated to post this, to warn others who might take the Metra from the Clybourn station and think about taking any shortcuts with locking their bikes...

I've been parking my bike there during the day for less than two months, and had the rack stolen off my bike (it was bolted on, no quick releases to make it easy) and today was the second time that the person parked next to me had their rear wheel (unlocked, quick release skewer) stolen. The other time someone's wheel was stolen someone also tried to steal one of mine (the front skewer was undone) but apparently after doing that they realized it was locked with a u-lock so they weren't able to steal it. I've also seen other bikes that might be getting their wheels stolen, but since they weren't parked right next to mine, it's possible the rider just took it with them for safekeeping.

Anyway it seems to me that the thieves are targeting the easy stuff - unsecured items with quick releases. The person next to me today who had her wheel stolen had the frame and front wheel secured with only a basic cable lock, so the thief just took what was easy to grab and go.

So, if you lock your bike there, take the extra time to secure anything that's removable. My personal strategy (after my rack was stolen and I realized that it was only a matter of time before my bike disappeared) was to get a cheap used bike to use for my commute, as opposed to using my normal commuter which I actually like and don't want stolen or messed with again. But I still use a good u-lock and a cable lock that I run through my seat, rack and rear wheel (which also doesn't have a quick release). So far so good, except for the unobservant thief who tried to steal my locked front wheel.

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Permalink Reply by Eric R on May 19, 2013 at 2:08am
Just got back from a quick trip to Evanston to visit friends (metra'd UP, taxi'd back). Missing parts on three out of four bikes:
Velcro used for brake lines and handlebar camera mount
Brake pads on rear brake on one bike
Plastic fender/ Cheap rear light
And they attempted to take one saddle cover (it is sewn on)

Total used value of items, maybe $10.

So annoying.
Permalink Reply by Josh L. on May 19, 2013 at 7:40am

wow..I've never heard of a rack stolen.  I'm assuming they stole it for personal use because I can't imagine there is any market for a used rack.  That locations seems to be hit a lot for what it's worth.  

Permalink Reply by Josh L. on May 19, 2013 at 7:49am

Okay I just realized i replied to a post from 2011. I forgot the curious way these message boards are set up - old threads get updated and then are moved to the home page.

Carry on.

Permalink Reply by Eric R on May 19, 2013 at 10:07am
Who steals used brake pads!? Or Velcro which is just a step up from a sandwich bag tie!? :) One of my friends rode her junker bike assuming something would get stolen at the Clybourn metra station, she was correct to do so.

jolondon30 said:

wow..I've never heard of a rack stolen.  I'm assuming they stole it for personal use because I can't imagine there is any market for a used rack.  That locations seems to be hit a lot for what it's worth.  

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on May 19, 2013 at 11:10am

I posted the answer to this on page one.

Eric Roach said:

Who steals used brake pads!? Or Velcro which is just a step up from a sandwich bag tie!? :) One of my friends rode her junker bike assuming something would get stolen at the Clybourn metra station, she was correct to do so.

jolondon30 said:

wow..I've never heard of a rack stolen.  I'm assuming they stole it for personal use because I can't imagine there is any market for a used rack.  That locations seems to be hit a lot for what it's worth.  

Permalink Reply by Josh L. on May 19, 2013 at 7:29pm

I believe this is an aberration...that kind of stuff is rarely stolen and there is obviously no resale value for it. Sounds like some strange thief.

Permalink Reply by mahbomun on August 13, 2013 at 11:06am

Two years later... this is still happening. My bike seat was taken from me a few months ago in May. My fault, I had a quick release seat post and was ignorant of the high volume theft at this station. Months have gone by and I have been feeling reassured-- I upped my security with a thick cable lock in addition to the U-lock to secure my rear tire, I even got an older, more beat up bike with a rear rack essentially rusted on. Things have been moving along swimmingly. Yesterday I was shocked to descend the Metra platform to find that someone had taken a 7/26 hex key and gone ham, picking off parts of various bikes... a missing seat post here, a handlebar there... I'll be taking my bike with me on my daily commute. What can be done to increase the security around this area? One would think with the city's new Divy bike campaign, there would be a place for funding and infrastructure for better bike security.

Permalink Reply by Eric R on August 13, 2013 at 11:27am

As h' alluded, there is a troll* under the bridge that takes random parts off bikes as a troll toll. (probably a homeless person with a hoarding disorder, among other issues.) Super glue and ball bearing in the hex key hole is one way to deter this. Zip ties on brake cables Padlocks on baskets. Saddle rain cover velcroed and sewn.

My wife parks her bike at the Clybourn stop so we've been forced to become very clever to keep the parts on the bike. Hopefully the person doesn't start taking the Divvy saddles and posts, if they come off.

*I'll claim troll as my description of the individual as it is borderline offensive.

mah said:

Two years later... this is still happening. My bike seat was taken from me a few months ago in May. My fault, I had a quick release seat post and was ignorant of the high volume theft at this station. Months have gone by and I have been feeling reassured-- I upped my security with a thick cable lock in addition to the U-lock to secure my rear tire, I even got an older, more beat up bike with a rear rack essentially rusted on. Things have been moving along swimmingly. Yesterday I was shocked to descend the Metra platform to find that someone had taken a 7/26 hex key and gone ham, picking off parts of various bikes... a missing seat post here, a handlebar there... I'll be taking my bike with me on my daily commute. What can be done to increase the security around this area? One would think with the city's new Divy bike campaign, there would be a place for funding and infrastructure for better bike security.

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on August 13, 2013 at 11:34am

mah said:

What can be done to increase the security around this area?

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on August 13, 2013 at 12:17pm

If you wanted to take the law (and your safety) into your own hands you could probably find your parts under one of the nearby overpasses in an undomiciled person's lair.

mah said:

Two years later... this is still happening. My bike seat was taken from me a few months ago in May. My fault, I had a quick release seat post and was ignorant of the high volume theft at this station. Months have gone by and I have been feeling reassured-- I upped my security with a thick cable lock in addition to the U-lock to secure my rear tire, I even got an older, more beat up bike with a rear rack essentially rusted on. Things have been moving along swimmingly. Yesterday I was shocked to descend the Metra platform to find that someone had taken a 7/26 hex key and gone ham, picking off parts of various bikes... a missing seat post here, a handlebar there... I'll be taking my bike with me on my daily commute. What can be done to increase the security around this area? One would think with the city's new Divy bike campaign, there would be a place for funding and infrastructure for better bike security.

Permalink Reply by Liz on August 13, 2013 at 1:15pm

I think that a great use of Divvy will be for those who park all day at a metra and have a divvy station by their homes.  

Its also great for me to get to my office/train station on opposite sides of the loop when I feel like riding metra instead of CTA. 

It is amazing how certain locations just attract random part thefts. Hoarding/scrap yard proximity may have something to do with this one being so heavily hit. 

I almost feel bad for a person who's so desperate that they feel the need to take such random parts of little value off bikes. 


mah said:

Two years later... this is still happening. My bike seat was taken from me a few months ago in May. My fault, I had a quick release seat post and was ignorant of the high volume theft at this station. Months have gone by and I have been feeling reassured-- I upped my security with a thick cable lock in addition to the U-lock to secure my rear tire, I even got an older, more beat up bike with a rear rack essentially rusted on. Things have been moving along swimmingly. Yesterday I was shocked to descend the Metra platform to find that someone had taken a 7/26 hex key and gone ham, picking off parts of various bikes... a missing seat post here, a handlebar there... I'll be taking my bike with me on my daily commute. What can be done to increase the security around this area? One would think with the city's new Divy bike campaign, there would be a place for funding and infrastructure for better bike security.

Permalink Reply by mahbomun on November 1, 2013 at 11:27am

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