My Bike Recovery Story

First of all, I want to thank all of you for your well wishes when you heard I got my bike stolen.  The bike community honestly is like a family.  All the people who offered help and support, thank you, thank you, thank you.

 

As some of you know, I'm pretty short, so losing this bike was devastating to me since it's the first bike I've ever owned that actually fit me. I have several other bikes, but none of them fit me like this one does. It's a 39 cm frame with 24 inch wheels.

 

Now on to the  recovery story....

 

My bike was stolen Friday afternoon outside my office in Lincoln Park.  No  cut u lock, no signs of the rack being compromised. I honestly thought that maybe I hadn't rode in that day.... but I had my helmet and rain pants so I know I wasn't going crazy.

 

Immediately I filed a police report over the phone, added it to the stolen bike reg and sent emails to friends.

 

Yesterday a few people checked out the swap on the s side with no luck.

 

This morning I headed back there with a couple of friends.

 

Within 5 minutes I saw the bike, we called the cops and they recovered the bike for me.  No arrests.

 

My fenders and rack were missing (which had numerous stickers) but besides that, mommy and baby are reunited.

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Permalink Reply by Dr. Doom on March 7, 2011 at 4:13am
As some of you know, there are organized efforts to patrol Swap-o-Rama, which is a major (and possibly the major) hub for the fencing of stolen bikes in Chicago. Send me a private message if you're interested in learning more, as this effort can always use more participants.
Permalink Reply by Harry Wray on March 7, 2011 at 5:11am
This is great news, Julie. Pedal on!
Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on March 7, 2011 at 6:01am
Thanks Harry. I hope to be pedaling on for many years to come. You and many others are inspirations.



Harry Wray said:
This is great news, Julie. Pedal on!
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on March 7, 2011 at 7:59am
Congrats on recovering your baby!  I remember how long you looked to find a good quality bike that was a good fit for you.
Permalink Reply by E A on March 7, 2011 at 8:23am

Julie - Yay! Reunion!

I'm now super-paranoid to park my bike outside anywhere! Glad your diligent searching paid off. I was praying you'd celebrate a reunion.

Permalink Reply by Moc Artsy on March 7, 2011 at 12:53pm
So glad to hear you recovered your bike so quickly, Julie. Considering how distinctive your ride is and how much good will you have among us Chainlinkers, you should know that if any of us ever sees your bike in anyone else's possession we will wrest it free and return it to you, no matter the risk to our lives and limbs.
Permalink Reply by Dottie on March 7, 2011 at 3:27pm

Wow, I'm so happy for you, Julie!  What a relief.  I'm sure this story will help others locate their stolen bikes in the future.  I wish I'd know about this bike swap place when my Jamis was stolen three years ago.  

 

Permalink Reply by Ironika Leigh on March 7, 2011 at 3:56pm
i just saw this - i'm so sorry it was taken but SO happy you got it back! that's amazing news.
Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on March 7, 2011 at 4:01pm
I'm still in disbelief that I got it back.
Permalink Reply by A.K.A Paul on March 7, 2011 at 4:47pm

Of course Julie cant let us all down now. 

 

She has to win the first cyclocoss race of the season now that she has her bike back!  ;0)

Permalink Reply by dan brown on March 8, 2011 at 4:32am

and another cool thing : I paid the admission price for the three of us to enter ($2.00 X 3); and on the

way out it was suggested to request that we get if refunded; and after bickering back and forth;

the 2 CPD officers persuaded the (off-duty CPD) security guard to give is our entry fee back. Sure...

it was only $6.00 - the the sheer principal of having to pay (which supports these thieves and fencers)

just to find and recover stolen goods seemed all wrong.

 

DB

Permalink Reply by mindfrieze on March 8, 2011 at 5:27am

I'd love to see a detailed best-practice step-list posted online that someone might follow to recover a stolen bike.  Something like:

 

0. Today: Register bike at...; Take pictures of your bike in it's present form.

1. Upon bike being stolen: Note locking location of stolen bike. Recover any parts/locks left behind.

2. File police report at ... or by calling ... or by visiting...

3. File report at Stolen Bike Registry

4. Post missing bike on Craigslist & monitor for ads

5. Post to social media: the chainlink, CCM listserv, etc.

6. Check swap meets, flea markets, etc. located at ...; Best times to check are...

7. Etc.

 

Maybe this has been done already, and I haven't seen it.

 

I'm thrilled you got your bike back, Julie.

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