Free bikes, an Alaskan tragedy

It was about 1980. I was a newspaper reporter in Anchorage, where the city came up with an appealing plan: Fix up lost and stolen bikes that had not been reclaimed, paint them white, and park them by bike paths for everyone to enjoy.

From each according to his need; to each according to his ability.

Unfortunately, Anchorage had too many with ability. Within about two days, no white bike could be found, though one could spot kids riding them now and again.

On a related topic, go to the New York Times and search "bike thief" and you'll find a delightful video of an enterprising cyclist taking a hack saw to the chain securing his bike on major streets in Manhattan. No one blinks, or asks a question until he spends 10 or 20 minutes doing it in front of a police station.