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 Kevin C Dormant on June 27, 2011 at 2:46pm

Thanks for the heads up Lauren.

 

Permalink Reply by Eric on June 27, 2011 at 2:49pm

Hey Lauren, I have a question...are your skewers bolt on like the On Guard ones or the ones they sell at REI? I have been thinking about going with skewers, but feel more like getting the keyed ones instead.

 

Thanks

 

Eric

Permalink Reply by Lauren on June 27, 2011 at 3:00pm

Eric,

My current rear skewer isn't quick release because the bike is a really old mountain bike, and that's what it came with. I did used to use locking skewers (I think it was the On Guard brand) but stopped after one got a little stripped so my wheel would rub on the brake pad, and it also became a little annoying having them, since, for example, if I took my bike to the shop, I had to remember to leave the key for the skewer. Also, I always lock both my wheels (front with a u-lock, rear with a cable lock) so the locking skewers were probably overkill anyway.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on June 27, 2011 at 5:00pm
Truthfully, locking skewers don't seem to be much of a deterrent to bike theft. The volume thieves don't ever intend to change a flat tire on the bike, they intend to flip it to some schmuck who won't be able to fix their flat tire. The only ones inconvenienced or daunted by locking skewers seem to be the owners. Make sure you have a lock on each wheel and leave it at that.

Lauren said:

Eric,

My current rear skewer isn't quick release because the bike is a really old mountain bike, and that's what it came with. I did used to use locking skewers (I think it was the On Guard brand) but stopped after one got a little stripped so my wheel would rub on the brake pad, and it also became a little annoying having them, since, for example, if I took my bike to the shop, I had to remember to leave the key for the skewer. Also, I always lock both my wheels (front with a u-lock, rear with a cable lock) so the locking skewers were probably overkill anyway.

Permalink Reply by Lauren on July 6, 2011 at 8:23am

Just wanted to give an update on these continuing attempted thefts at the Clybourn station...

Yesterday someone tried to cut my cable lock (which secures my seat, rear wheel, rack and water bottle cage). They got through the outer rubber covering and partway through the inner metal part. I'm not sure if they stopped because they realized then that the bike was actually locked with a u-lock, so cutting the cable wouldn't help, or because they ran out of time to finish cutting and only intended to steal parts of the bike, not the whole thing.

Anyway, I'm now moving to securing my bike with two u-locks, plus a new cable (since I don't think my u-locks work to go all the way through the wheel and rack, and still lock to the frame, and a u-lock definitely won't fit through the rails on my saddle). I'm also going to get a locking seatpost clamp, since the cable obviously isn't secure enough on its own. So maybe with two u-locks it will deter the dumb thieves who (I think) haven't realized my bike was already secured with a u-lock, or at least with three locks total, plus a locked seatpost, I'll make my bike way harder (meaning takes more time, I recognize that all these things can still be defeated) to steal than anyone else's.

Permalink Reply by Eric on July 6, 2011 at 8:50am
Stay Vigilant Lauren.
Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on July 7, 2011 at 7:43am

I analyzed the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry data and found that the Clybourn Metra Station was the most reported location for bike theft in the registry. 

Other Metra stations made it in the top 10. 

Permalink Reply by Lauren on July 7, 2011 at 2:59pm
Yeah, I made the decision to "invest" in a cheap used bike after I skimmed through the registry data and saw how many thefts were at that station.
Permalink Reply by Christine H on August 22, 2012 at 1:25am
Unfortunately my bike was stolen yesterday while parked at the Clybourn metra station. I thought that since they installed a nicer bike parking area it might be safer than it has in the past. How wrong I was! Sawed right through the U-lock. Anyway, I remembered posts here on the chainlink about Clybourn metra thefts. Has anyone recovered a bike that was stolen here? Can anyone out there give me any tips? I filed a police report and will post on the stolen bike registry tonight.
Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 22, 2012 at 3:08am

I feel for folks who get victimized by thieves.   These opportunist scumbags cause cyclists a lot of grief, money, and hurt us all because it makes the choice of riding a less easy one for many folks who just don't need one more excuse not to ride and instead make other transportation choices instead.  

A "cheap bike" doesn't seem to hurt as much emotionally when stolen or scavenged for parts like a wheel or whatever.

But for many folks, replacing a wheel on a "cheap bike" can be just as expensive or a PITA as replacing a wheel on a nicer commuter.  For the rider that isn't familiar with all the ins and outs of the different wheel/hub/drivetrain types and all the sizes it can be fraught with many pitfalls and false starts.   Then there is tires, tubes, and rimstraps.    Wheels can get pricey, even for used ones -moreso if you end up buying one that doesn't work the first time.   And even a "cheap bike" is a pain to replace and set up again so it suits you.  Things like racks, baskets, lights, and other things necessary for riding on the mean streets add up -on a nice bike or a crappy cheap one.    Plus, who likes riding a crappy bike?  It's a quality of life issue!

As for locking skewers, I do not think they are really the best investment.  They cost upwards of $50 for a set and only offer the bare rudimentary level of protection against wheel theft.   They will only slow down a knowledgeable thief a little bit -although they do cut down on the opportunists who can just yank a wheel in 3 seconds flat with a QR skewer.  Anyone can do this -they are designed to be simple, fast, and easy to remove!  A simple bolted skewer gives nearly as much security over the opportunist no-tools less-knowledgeable thief while costing but a fraction of the special keyed ones.   It's much better to lock them.

Most cable locks can be cut through with a cheap pair of garden sheers from a dollar store in not too long of a time -not much longer than someone can unlock them with a key or combination so a passer-by wouldn't really know what was going on.   Their security is pretty minimal.   I suggest using a second U-lock to secure the front wheel to the frame or to the rack depending on the situation.    I'm not a fan of removing the front wheel with a QR.  Not only is it a PITA, but it leaves the exposed fork open to being stepped on or pressed against by other cyclists as they come into a rack.  Forks are easily damaged and if you don't like your bike to pull to one side I wouldn't pull the front wheel while leaving the bike in a rack.

It's too bad that the Metra and CTA stations have such poor security and are designed and laid out so poorly with regards to secure bike parking  that they are nothing but candy stores for bike and bike-accessory thieves.  What a society we live in today...

Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on August 22, 2012 at 6:15am

This is just bad advice.          

If a thief see's a bike with locking skewers, coupled with say a New York Lock (locked correctly), it's highly likely he will move on, depending on the circumstances of course.  Now I'm sure you're smart enough to know there are dozens of factors that play into a thief's decision to steal a bike at any given moment.  Cameras, daylight, high traffic area, and on and on.  So I have no idea why you feel so comfortable giving out advice like this to people who might benefit from using locking skewers.        

Apart from the obvious above, I've not once seen a post on the Chainlink, in my time here, where someone has reported a wheel theft when they had locking skewers on their bike.  How many thefts have I seen reported here while using a (crappy) U-lock?  Seems like every other day, lately at least.

Let's try not to be so black-and-white, yeah?   

Kevin C said:

Truthfully, locking skewers don't seem to be much of a deterrent to bike theft. The volume thieves don't ever intend to change a flat tire on the bike, they intend to flip it to some schmuck who won't be able to fix their flat tire. The only ones inconvenienced or daunted by locking skewers seem to be the owners. Make sure you have a lock on each wheel and leave it at that.
Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on August 22, 2012 at 6:46am

It doesn't really matter.  If they don't have a key to the skewers, they're either gonna have to go through the trouble of trying to "pick" them or they're going to have to saw through the wheel itself to get the bike.  Like I said before, depending on the area, this isn't going to be something a thief will want to do, nor is it something I've heard of being done much at all.  

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