Forum Topic

Bike Stolen

Just letting you know that my bike was stolen from outside Turnham Green tube station, it was locked up on the bike racks opposite the station. It's a bright yellow frame and was locked up with a very strong metal lock. Have reported it to the police but on the off chance, if anyone saw anything yesterday, I'd love to know. In any case, a reminder to all be extra careful.

David Jones ● 2192d9 Comments

Aren't the bike racks covered by CCTV ?

Richard Greenhough ● 2192d

HI David,Really sorry to hear this,  there should be CCTV covering that area.Can you tell us whether the bike rack itself was tampered with or do you think it was the lock that they cut? Also was the lock a sold secure lock? Keep any eye out on Gumtree/Ebay and report the bike to the site 'Stolen Bike' , I know some people have managed to recover their bikes albeit sadly this is rare.

Matthew Swain ● 2192d

The cameras are just there  to dish out fines — good luck getting any help from that department!

Bruce Hammal ● 2192d

Really sorry to hear that David.But this is exactly where funds need to be spent! Not the unnecessary cycle lanes! But on making sure that when people return to where the'd left their bike - the bike is still there!

Alex Shpinkov ● 2192d

Sorry to hear this David. It might be worth looking at the two aggregator sites that collate the 2nd hand bike adverts from Gumtree, eBay etc. http://findthatbike.co.uk and https://www.bikeshd.co.ukThis won't be any use to your bike being stolen but I also learned the hard way the other week as I looked out my office window in central London and saw two men leaning over my bicycle outside. By the time I had run out of my office through reception and past security, the 'Gold' standard lock was on the floor cut in half and the bike was 50m away. I did not realise until researching after the theft that for a bicycle lock to be awarded 'Gold' standard, it doesn't need to be tested against a battery powered angle grinder or die cutter. These tools are easily available, small and compact and make mincemeat of most locks in a few seconds. Hopefully my learnings will be useful to other bike owners reading this:1. Buy and use two of the best bicycle locks. I recommend the ABUS 540 D-lock and the New York Fahgettaboudit D-Lock - but be aware an angle grinder can cut through each of these locks in circa 2 minutes. (These locks need to be cut twice to beat them and each cut of the shackle takes about a minute).2. Learn how to best secure the bike using the D-locks - never lock the top cross bar or lock the bike with the lock leaning on the ground as this makes it much easier to access the lock and cut/break it. Best place is to put the d-lock through the upright under the seat post and through the back wheel and lock it around the bicycle rack - much less room to access and cut or break the lock.3. If you bike is worth anything, don't leave it in public overnight and places like underground car parks are very risky. Bear in mind my bike was stolen in broad daylight on a Friday afternoon with pedestrians and bystanders nearby. There is loads of footage on YouTube of bike thieves brazenly stealing bikes in similar circumstances in central London.4. Register your bike with Bike Register and visibly mark the frame.5. Insure it... I have insurance on my replacement and added public liability too which seems sensible

Henry Man ● 2192d

. Buy and use two of the best bicycle locks. I recommend the ABUS 540 D-lock and the New York Fahgettaboudit D-Lock Henry those are excellent locks and I actually own both. I think however its better to have 1 D-lock (either above are great) and then say a gold sold secure ABUS chain. This way you have 2 types of locks.Also to add to your excellent points be sure to lock any valuable items on the bike,  in particular Brooks saddles or expensive wheels.

Matthew Swain ● 2192d

Don't they 'freeze spray' the locks and shatter them with a hammer these days, or are some locks resistant to such attacks?

Michael Brown ● 2192d

I fear my lock would be gone in 30 seconds, however I have something else in the armoury - an alarm. False alarms could be an issue I suppose but this has never happened to mine as far as I know. It's a trembler mechanism so if the bike is moved without de-arming it goes off. The alarm is quite small but incredibly loud and would certainly draw attention .

Bruce Hammal ● 2192d

The cheaper d-locks are susceptible to this but the top of the range locks less so I believe. If you care to watch a German from ABUS freeze a lock to -40 and bash it with a simulated sledgehammer, here you go!https://www.thrillist.com/gear/how-abus-tests-its-nearly-unbreakable-bike-locksThere have been increasing reports of gas powered nail guns jolting d-locks open but positioning the lock correctly on the upright below the seatpost makes both hammering and getting access to pop the lock open much more difficult than if it was on the top crossbar or leaning against the floor.There is a new 'diamond' standard for bicycle locks being introduced but I've not yet seen any examples.Apologies, this is a thoroughly boring topic but I hope this helps others and saves a few bikes being stolen. I read this week on Nextdoor that a local apprehended a bike thief at his family home and held him in a headlock until the police arrived. What a champion!

Henry Man ● 2192d