Stolen Bike Registry - do this when your bike gets stolen

"With all the stolen bike posts lately (and no one thinking "I wonder if there's something under Useful Links for this."), I think it's well past time to make a sticky about the Stolen Bike Registry"

 - Tank-Ridin' Ryan

 

Well said Ryan.

 

 

http://chicago.stolenbike.org/

 

Done and done.

 

And sticky too.

 

 

Cheers - Lee Diamond

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on October 29, 2012 at 7:28am

Interesting.

I actually visited the shop and spoke with the owner at length regarding the whole situation a week or so ago and just have not gotten around to documenting the whole thing.

Long and short of it is this:

  • He claims to be reporting all his purchases to the city; looks like that may not be accurate.
  • His defense of the whole situation is that he is a 'small business' and 'does not have time' to check every bike that comes in.
  • When I asked how that was supporting the cycling community and how he could call himself a 'community bike shop' when he is helping to facilitate bike theft was met with no response.
  • He offered to make the lists he sends to the city available to anyone who would like to ask for them to check them against the internet.
  • He also claimed that the Jamis that was recovered was in terrible disrepair and he had to 'rebuild' the bottom bracket which is interesting because they come with cartridge bearing bottom brackets...



Justin B Newman said:

I have received a response from the City related to this. Specifically, they have no reports. http://files.foiadata.org/FOIA-Response-CPD-2012-10-18.pdf

This suggests that while 5600 BIKES & FRAMES may have a license, they may not be complying with the below-listed ordinance. Complaints to the Ward 40 Alderman and the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) (via 311) may be appropriate.


Justin B Newman said:

As a secondhand dealer, 5600 BIKES & FRAMES is required by law (4-264-050) to maintain records of all bicycles they purchase, and turn those records over to the police on a daily basis (4-264-051). In a few minutes, I'll have a FOIA request going into the City for a copy of these records. When I get the results, I'll update (and probably scrub against CSBR - and if there's anything pertinent to the two owners here, I'll reach out directly). If they're in electronic form, they'll be made available on the web. If there are no such reports, it's a fairly straight forward process to push for a license revocation. (The business does actually have a business license and a secondhand dealer license, both recently issued.)

Permalink Reply by Justin B Newman on October 29, 2012 at 7:36am

As of the 16th, all porting moved to LeadsOnline from a paper-based system. Which means it'll be really hard for those reports to, uh, get lost. (The shop is required to key them in directly). In a month or two, assuming I don't completely forget about it, I'll ask for the same data on the shop for Oct 16 on, and we'll know what's happening to date. 

Thanks for making a trip up to the shop and chatting with the fellow. 

notoriousDUG said:

  • He claims to be reporting all his purchases to the city; looks like that may not be accurate.
Permalink Reply by Dragonborn on October 29, 2012 at 5:33pm

I saw something today that was mind boggling for me. Went to Aldi's and as I was walking up to get a shopping cart, a man in his 30s with a bicycle and wearing a large backpack came up and rested his Trek 820 mountain bike upright against one of the metal barriers where the shopping carts are kept. He then proceeded to shop inside Aldi's without bothering to lock up his bike! I couldn't believe what I saw. His bike appeared to be in good condition, looked attractive, and any thief would have gladly stolen it. Every minute, I would look out the window while I shopped to see if his bike was still there. Eventually, the guy finished his shopping and then he got on his bike and left.

If I happened to see someone else actually take off with the guy's bike, I would have informed him right away and nothing more. I'm guessing that either the guy does this all the time and it's only a matter of time he will become a victim, or he stole the bike himself and wouldn't care if someone else stole from him.

Permalink Reply by buddaa38 on October 29, 2012 at 7:30pm

Marty,

You may want to check out the Shinning bike shop on Western Ave. Just across from Rose-hill Cemetery. I believe that they have another location in Albany Park on Lawrence between Kedize & Pulaski. Also check out swap o rama



Marty A. said:

Shit damn fuck. We had our first bike stolen today less than 30 min. after returning from BTD; and it was stolen from our garage. It is a Dolce Elite, white with clipless pedals, black seat and black bar tape (non standard)

Permalink Reply by Brad Bauer on November 12, 2012 at 9:09am

My Specialized Sirrus Comp (XL) was stolen from the bike rack on the North East side of Michigan Ave, just North of the Park Grill on Friday night. Between 5PM and 7PM.

Distinguishing features: crane bell (silver) on the left handle bar, along with a mount for a high powered LED light (which I had in my pocket) Cat-eye motion sensor lights front and back (white front / red back) they have been glued into their mounts so, removing them isn't an option except for removing the whole light.

Reward for its safe return, as I just found out that I am not covered, insurance wise. :cry

Permalink Reply by Erin Vogel on November 12, 2012 at 9:16am

That's awesome. I'm so glad you started this. great idea and great resource.

Peter Muller said:

Hey everyone,

I just started a Chicago stolen bikes Twitter feed. We need to get bicyclists to follow the feed so that in the event a bike is stolen, the word can get out ASAP to everyone and eyes can be immediately peeled.

follow "chistolenbikes" or just tweet @chistolenbikes

Finally, a useful purpose for Twitter!
Permalink Reply by Brad Bauer on November 12, 2012 at 9:19am

Following.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on November 12, 2012 at 9:21am

Like the OP states, you should post an entry to the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry.

Brad Bauer said:

My Specialized Sirrus Comp (XL) was stolen from the bike rack on the North East side of Michigan Ave, just North of the Park Grill on Friday night. Between 5PM and 7PM.

Distinguishing features: crane bell (silver) on the left handle bar, along with a mount for a high powered LED light (which I had in my pocket) Cat-eye motion sensor lights front and back (white front / red back) they have been glued into their mounts so, removing them isn't an option except for removing the whole light.

Reward for its safe return, as I just found out that I am not covered, insurance wise. :cry

Permalink Reply by Brad Bauer on November 12, 2012 at 9:31am

Done. Awaiting moderator approval. 


Kevin C said:

Like the OP states, you should post an entry to the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on November 12, 2012 at 9:32am

Approved. 

Brad Bauer said:

Done. Awaiting moderator approval. 


Kevin C said:

Like the OP states, you should post an entry to the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry.

Permalink Reply by Tim S on November 12, 2012 at 9:51am

What say you community...

Girl is 99% sure her bike stolen 3 years ago is now rolling around in her hood, so convinced she is looking to the bike shop and other places to dbl check serial number before action. I suggested a u-lock and call to the authorities once confirmed but there is the issue of the length of time that has passed.

cool or not to try to repatriate a 3+ year gone bike?

Permalink Reply by Brad Bauer on November 12, 2012 at 9:53am

If its her's, its hers. There is no statute of limitations, imho.

And yeah, I think the U-Lock + calling the cops would be fine but, if its a highly populated neighborhood (say, Lakeview), how would they locate the "current" owner in that scenario?

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