FUN FACTS - The Bike Theft Edition

We are entering high season for Bike Theft in the City of Chicago. Reports to the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry are starting to come in at the rate of more than one per day. If last year is any indication, they’ll peak out at a rate of more than four per day, and a really busy day may see as many as ten thefts reported in a single day.

 

I believe in the axiom that if a bike thief really wants to steal your bike, there’s not much you can do to keep your bike from getting stolen. But I also believe in the axiom that if you only lock your bike with a cable lock, or a combination cable lock, or a cable and padlock, or you don’t lock your bike at all, your bike is going to get stolen even if the thieves only “sort of” want to steal your bike. I also fervently believe in the punchline “I don’t have to outrun the bear, I only have to outrun you.”

 

Facts:

There are about 2500 bikes listed on the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry (CSBR).

 

20% of those stolen bikes (CSBR) weren’t locked - no lock at all. Nothing. Nada. Bupkis.

 

34% of those stolen bikes (CSBR) were locked with either a combination cable lock, a cable with an integrated key lock or a cable with a padlock.

 

The Chicago Police Department does not maintain theft data specifically for bikes, but estimates that in excess of 5000 bikes per year are stolen in the City of Chicago.

 

Fewer than half of the CSBR entries contain a serial number, which just happens to be the single most important piece of information for identifying and recovering a stolen bike.

 

I know what you’re saying. “Hey wait just a minute Kevin, these aren’t Fun Facts. Truthfully, these are pretty depressing statistics. Throw us a bone, would you?” 

 

OK, but just this once...

 

I have yet to see an entry on the CSBR for a bike which was cross-locked; i.e. two U-locks or a U-lock together with a heavy duty security chain and padlock.

 

The Chicago Stolen Bike Registry now contains a link which enables you to register your bike BEFORE IT’S STOLEN. The link is to Bike Revolution, an organization based in London which enables you to register your bike, enter a photo if you like, record any identifying accessories that distinguish your bike and print a certificate for your records. A dirty little secret about registering your bike with the Chicago Police Department is that your registration drops out of their system every two years. The people behind the curtain at the CSBR have maintained six and a half years of data regarding thefts, and pledge to retain the registration data through and including the date you sell or dispose of your bike, or the date on which you attend your first grandchild’s grammar school graduation, whichever date comes first. 

 

Kryptonite used to do an annual list of the top ten worst cities in the US for bike theft. (The underlying Kryptonite data is proprietary, but the worst cities are based on rate of theft rather than gross numbers, and reading between the lines, relates to claims on the Kryptonite replacement guarantee.) New York was always #1 followed by everyone else. By the time they stopped 3 years ago, NY settled at #3, with Philadelphia at #1 and Chicago at #2. I spoke with the brand manager at Kryptonite a couple of times last fall seeking insight into how Chicago could use the lessons learned in NY to reduce theft in Chicago. Was it the fact that New York got a Kryptonite lock named after them? Nah, it was awareness, pure and simple. The publicity associated with being the worst city in the US for bike theft made people in New York more aware of how and where they locked their bike. It made New Yawkers more aware that they needed to spend some money for the best lock(s) they could afford, and lock their bike every time-even if they were just going inside “for a minute.”   

 

I don’t want to blame the victim here, but 54% of the bikes stolen in the City of Chicago either aren’t locked or are locked with a cable lock. A little awareness of that fact alone could reduce the incidence of bike theft in Chicago substantially. Recovery rates for bicycles where the owner doesn’t even know their serial number are abyssmal. Until these facts change, my strategy is: I lock my bike with two U-locks (and a cable) anytime I leave my transportation/commuter unattended for longer than half an hour. If I leave it unattended for less than that, I have one U-lock on it. If I’m lucky, I get to lock my bike to a bike rack with two U-locks next to a bike locked with a combination cable lock.

 

Register your bike. Write down your serial number.

 

Riding a bike is fun. Returning to the location where you locked your bike and finding it there is almost as much fun.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on May 9, 2011 at 11:49am
The building I used to live in had 2 bike areas unfortunately contractors left the door open and someone(persons) walked stole unlocked bikes. They were caught on camera but...lock your bike inside.

Anne Alt said:
A few friends have had their bikes stolen from apt/condo basements, where they were unlocked in large rooms.  As Dr. Doom mentioned above, all it takes is one neighbor being careless with the basement access door.
Permalink Reply by Glenn on May 10, 2011 at 5:11am

 I don't want any more bikes stolen  T_T

 

Where is SPROCKET MAN when you need him!!!

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on May 10, 2011 at 10:18am

Sorry Glen-

 

Three more as of 4:15 pm today.

 

9. unlocked bike in garage;

10. unlocked bike in garage;

11. combination cable lock.

Kevin Conway said:

EPILOGUE:

It's Monday morning 5/9-four and a half days after I posted the FUN FACTS. In the time since the initial post, 8 stolen bike's have been added to the CSBR. 

1. unlocked bike in garage;

2. unlocked bike in building vestibule;

3. cable with padlock;

4. combination cable lock;

5. unlocked bike/building bike room;

6. unlocked bike/building bike room;

7. combination cable lock;

8. newer U-lock w/flat key (yes! yes!) sign it was locked to was compromised (boo!).

 

It's like I'm psychic or something...

 

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on May 10, 2011 at 11:45am

Forgot to mention, we're 5 of 11 on serial numbers.

 

Have you written down your serial number and registered your bike yet?

Kevin Conway said:

Sorry Glen-

 

Three more as of 4:15 pm today.

 

9. unlocked bike in garage;

10. unlocked bike in garage;

11. combination cable lock.

[snip]

It's like I'm psychic or something...

 

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on April 6, 2012 at 7:06am

Thought it was time to give this thread a bump, as well as asking a question.


I noticed a bike alarm product in a magazine and wondered if any of you have used it or heard anything about it.  Just asking out of curiousity.  I don't think I'd be tempted to use it as an only lock, but might try it in addition to a U-lock.  Your $0.02?

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on April 12, 2012 at 10:15am

I missed this post, Anne. I hadn't seen the Bike Alarm before. My $0.02 is that we are all surrounded by so many buzzes, beeps, and tones that this probably wouldn't get anyone's attention. When's the last time you looked out the window when a car alarm went off? Yeah, I can't remember the last time either. If you were to try it, I agree, it shouldn't be the only lock you use.

In other bike theft news, I have in the past been a vocal proponent of the Bike Registry Pewar chain, with the Abus concealed shackle padlock for ~$40 delivered. I tried to send the link to John W. last week, and lo and behold, the chain is no longer available. In fact, Bike Registry no longer sells locks or chains of any kind. They now offer two GPS trackers: one concealed in a blinky; one in a headset cap. We'll see what the reviews look like. For me, I still think locking your bike with a decent lock, every time, is the best way to go.

On a sad note, bike theft season has started out at a much faster pace than a year ago. Last April, there were 36 reports to the CSBR. Through April 11th, we have had 25 reports. Maybe it's the nicer weather, or maybe it's because of the legions of well-equipped bike thieves operating in the City of Chicago. Just kidding-of the 25 bikes, 11 weren't locked, 6 of them were locked with a cable lock. 68% of the thefts reported were either not locked or locked with a cable. What're the chances?


Anne Alt said:

Thought it was time to give this thread a bump, as well as asking a question.


I noticed a bike alarm product in a magazine and wondered if any of you have used it or heard anything about it.  Just asking out of curiousity.  I don't think I'd be tempted to use it as an only lock, but might try it in addition to a U-lock.  Your $0.02?

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on April 12, 2012 at 10:27am

Wow, I didn't know BikeRegistry stopped offering the chain & lock combo- it was a great deal. My husband and I got one each last year before Christmas and I feel pretty good about using it in combination with my U-lock.  That is sad, as it was an economical locking solution.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on April 12, 2012 at 10:30am

bike theft season, or bike theft reporting season?

I may have to do with the ever increasing brand name recognition of the CSBR.

Kevin C said:


On a sad note, bike theft season has started out at a much faster pace than a year ago. Last April, there were 36 reports to the CSBR. Through April 11th, we have had 25 reports. Maybe it's the nicer weather, or maybe it's because of the legions of well-equipped bike thieves operating in the City of Chicago. Just kidding-of the 25 bikes, 11 weren't locked, 6 of them were locked with a cable lock. 68% of the thefts reported were either not locked or locked with a cable. What're the chances?


Anne Alt said:

Thought it was time to give this thread a bump, as well as asking a question.


I noticed a bike alarm product in a magazine and wondered if any of you have used it or heard anything about it.  Just asking out of curiousity.  I don't think I'd be tempted to use it as an only lock, but might try it in addition to a U-lock.  Your $0.02?

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on April 12, 2012 at 10:39am

Point taken. But there does seem to be a strong correlation between and among the number of bikes, the number of thefts, and the number of reports to the CSBR. I wish the message about cable locks and unlocked bikes was experiencing increased recognition.

Duppie said:

bike theft season, or bike theft reporting season?

I may have to do with the ever increasing brand name recognition of the CSBR.

Kevin C said:


On a sad note, bike theft season has started out at a much faster pace than a year ago. [snip]

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on April 13, 2012 at 2:37am

Cable lock = gift-wrap for thieves.  

One might as well just set it under the Xmas tree with To: Bike Thief - From: Santa written on a pretty holiday card.  

When I go into an LBS in this city and see them selling cable locks  my estimation of the business goes down significantly.  

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on April 13, 2012 at 9:06am

I've been trying to wrap my head around a slogan that could be used in an anti cablelock campaign.  

Something like Cable Locks don't cut it in Chicago although that is no quite right.   Something with "Cut it" in there that really conveys how easily a cable can be cut through.

I don't even use a cable to secure my other wheel -I like my wheels.  You might as well leave the wheel unlocked as little good it does against a thief who wants them.  Sort of like the improvement going from a QR wheel to a nutted one.  Barely an issue for a thief to get off -although I am amazed at the number of people who think a simple nut is going to slow down a thief.  I don't get that people somehow don't think thieves know how to turn a wrench...  A cable is barely better than that.  A simple cheap 12 cutter goes through the best of them like butter.  A hungry squirrel could chew through one in a couple of minutes. 

I use a cable lock for one thing -to secure my trailer to my bike -and only because even a longshackle isn't long enough to lock it to the bike most of the time.  If someone wants to steal my $40 kiddie trailer I guess they can just cut the crap 5/8" cable I"m using to secure it.  But they aren't going to get my 8-speed IGH rear hub or my X-FDD front brake/dyno hub by foolishly securing it with a cable. 

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on April 13, 2012 at 9:29am

Ignoring the truth does nobody any good.   

Lying to yourself is one of the greatest sins IMHO.  

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