Spring/Summer 2012 CSBR Theft Statistics

Based on reports received and posted to the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry for April & May 2012:

Reported thefts:128 (+21% from 2011)

No Lock: 32 

Cable Lock: 45

Newer U-Lock w/flat Key: 14 (-5% from 2011)

Security Chain: 2

Other: 34

Defeated Fence/Post: 13 (-3% from 2011)

Garage/Common Area: 52

Knows serial number: 48 (-4% from 2011)

Change in overall thefts reported could be due to weather, could be due to increased CSBR awareness, could be due to sun spots and crop circles. Stats on U-locks and defeated fences and sucker poles is encouraging, though the continued use of cable locks and thefts from garages, porches and common areas of oftentimes unlocked bikes is disappointing.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on July 10, 2012 at 8:49am

You are correct. The registry itself has pull down menus for 3 different types of cables (combo, keyed, and cable w/padlock). I group them as one. Older U-lock w/round key is a separate item which I include in "Other." "Other" also includes people who locked with a newer u-lock w/flat key, BUT only to itself; or to a wrought iron fence or a wooden railing which was obviously broken or cut.

The message I hope people will take away is that it's statistically still pretty safe to lock your bike with a u-lock to a bike rack. The vast majority of reports to the CSBR are of stolen bikes which were not locked, locked with a cable, or locked to an object which was insecure.  

Cameron Puetz said:

Kevin

Am I correct that the way you're compiling your statistics, each theft falls into one and only one of the following categories:

No Lock: 65 (25%)
Cable Lock: 101 (38%)
Newer U-Lock w/flat Key: 33 (12%)
Security Chain: 2 (1%)
Other: 63 (24%)

Additionally each theft counted above may also fall into one of these catagories:

Defeated Sign/Fence Post: 26 (10%)
Garage/Common Area/Porch: 96 (36%)

Permalink Reply by Emily Rose Giddings on July 10, 2012 at 10:39am

My Red Univega Arrowspeed was just stolen yesterday.  Red Handlebar tape with rear coaster brake and no handle brakes... :( 

More info here:  http://chicago.stolenbike.org/node/192853


Please help me find it!  Any ideas are welcome.  You can email me at emilygiddings@gmail.com

Attachments:
Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on July 10, 2012 at 4:04pm

I love statistics. I like the stats page on CSBR, but it's for "all time". 

Kevin, any interest in helping me run a fundraising campaign to raise money to pay for an upgrade to the CSBR? (I understand it uses a really old system of Drupal and could probably use some design enhancements, especially to make it more mobile friendly.) I guess we should talk off CL about this (I've got a lot of ideas). The location part of the report form could be improved, too. When I got the raw data to do some analysis, I found tons of locations that were improperly written so a location analysis was difficult. I did find that the most reported "stolen from" location was the Clybourn Metra station. 

I occasionally send PSA-style messages on my personal and Grid Chicago Twitter/Facebook accounts to ask people to immediately do four things:

1. Take a picture of them and their unlocked bicycle. (This helps show ownership of the bicycle.)

2. Record the serial number of their bicycle(s) in a safe place (I use Evernote for this).

3. Register their bicycle(s) with the Chicago Police Department (do it online). 

4. Record their lock key's serial number in a safe place (many bike lock makers have key replacement programs).

When trying to disseminate theft prevention information to peers, I recommend the Chicago Bicycle Program's Theft Prevention webpage Theft Prevention webpage (which I mostly authored), and the Chicago Bike Map (which is very accessible at bike shops).

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on July 15, 2012 at 4:51pm

With a little less than an hour to go on July 15th, there have been 80 new reports to the CSBR for the month of July (historically the biggest bike theft month).

h' said:

[snip]

Busy last couple of weeks . . . minor trend of Mondays and Fridays being heaviest, suggesting Tuesdays and Saturdays might be the busier days at our favorite fencing cesspool(s).

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on July 15, 2012 at 4:59pm

Que?



h' said:

Just noticed your homepage... did you hire a designer or is that your own 'work?'

:-)

Kevin C said:

With a little less than an hour to go on July 15th, there have been 80 new reports to the CSBR for the month of July (historically the biggest bike theft month).

h' said:

[snip]

Busy last couple of weeks . . . minor trend of Mondays and Fridays being heaviest, suggesting Tuesdays and Saturdays might be the busier days at our favorite fencing cesspool(s).

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on August 1, 2012 at 7:36am

Here's an update to include the month of July 2012.

April thefts: 53

May thefts: 80

June thefts: 134

July thefts: 177

Based on reports received and posted to the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry for April, May, June & July 2012:

Reported thefts: 444 

No Lock: 113 (25%)

Cable Lock: 158 (36%)

Newer U-Lock w/flat Key: 66 (15%)

Security Chain: 4 (1%)

Other: 102 (23%)

Defeated Sign/Fence Post: 36 (8%)

Garage/Common Area/Porch: 167 (38%)

Knows serial number: 173 (39%)

Bike Recovered: 4 (<1%)

Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on August 1, 2012 at 7:55am

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but what is 'other' on type of security? bulldog chained to your bike? Something else?

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on August 1, 2012 at 8:00am

"Other" is used when the lock wasn't defeated to accomplish the theft.  "Other" includes people who locked with a newer u-lock w/flat key, BUT the bike was locked only to itself; or to a wrought iron fence or a wooden railing which was obviously broken or cut; or to a sign post which was unbolted.

Jim S said:

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but what is 'other' on type of security? bulldog chained to your bike? Something else?

Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on August 1, 2012 at 8:12am

Ah, I see. So 'other' is mutually exclusive to 'defeated sign/fence post'.

 

Thanks!
 
Kevin C said:

"Other" is used when the lock wasn't defeated to accomplish the theft.  "Other" includes people who locked with a newer u-lock w/flat key, BUT the bike was locked only to itself; or to a wrought iron fence or a wooden railing which was obviously broken or cut; or to a sign post which was unbolted.

Jim S said:

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but what is 'other' on type of security? bulldog chained to your bike? Something else?

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 1, 2012 at 8:47am

Maybe this?



Jim S said:

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but what is 'other' on type of security? bulldog chained to your bike? Something else?

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