Bike Theft Sucks

By Andrew Plambeck

As a member of the team here this summer, I have had a great opportunity to research bicycle-related issues, and work hard on promoting the cycling community in Portland. I bought a new bike about a month ago, and have been riding to and from work, out to get groceries, and everywhere else I could think of. My car had taken a back seat, so to speak, to the two-wheeled wonder I could-and did-take anywhere.

As many Portlanders do, I had started getting around efficiently, while reducing emissions, relieving congestion, and exercising. Who can ask for more?

However, I'm now back behind the steering wheel. On Tuesday, August 15, I was leaving work and walked out to the bike rack at the 5th & Jefferson corner of City Hall and my teal Specialized Sirrus was gone. No remnants of the lock, no note, just gone. Having my primary form of transportation stolen has really hit me hard, and I am a bit less excited whenever I have to go somewhere. Theft of this nature is entirely unnecessary and counterproductive to the goals of City Hall and the cycling community.

We have made huge progress in Portland toward promoting cycling and have formed a wonderful community of committed manufacturers, retailers, and cyclists. We were recently recognized as the most cycle-friendly city in North America, and have since built upon that title. The problem of bike theft severely hinders our transportation goals and can discourage potential riders.

Having my bike stolen was a reminder to us that there is still progress to be made. There are security issues surrounding bikes and a large problem with bike theft in Portland. Many friends and fellow cyclists in the office recounted similar experiences when their locked bikes were stolen without so much as a witness. Many people are cautious about riding to work or running errands on a bike because of a fear of theft. If we are going to reach our goals and make Portland the best bike city it can be, we need to promote bicycle security, and keep an eye out for theft and vandalism.

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Posted Thu, 08/17/2006 - 10:27am.

Sorry to hear about your

Submitted by brett on Thu, 08/17/2006 - 10:59am.

Sorry to hear about your bike. I read the stolen bike listings every day on bikeportland.org and it's terribly discouraging. I'm just waiting for it to happen to me, although my bike is old enough to not be desirable. Question: as Transport commissioner, can Sam get the police to tell us more about these obviously organized bike theft rings? The thieving scum have to be selling the stolen goods somewhere -- are those places being investigated? What happens when we file a stolen bike report?

I know the cops are overworked sending sexy emails to subordinates and fighting violent crimes, but if Portland is serious about increasing bike commuting and reducing auto gridlock, could bike theft be made a higher priority for enforcement resources?

Maybe if one or two of these rings could be cracked, it would save a lot more Portlanders from suffering losses like yours. If nothing else, it might be helpful to have the police testify in public hearing about the extent of the problem, what's being done about it and what more could be done by the police.

I'm new to town so apologies if the questions I'm raising are common knowledge already.

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Bike lock?

Submitted by Kari Chisholm on Thu, 08/17/2006 - 11:56am.

What kind of bike lock did you use? For that matter, what is the current recommendation on what kind of locks folks should be using?

I was always taught that chain locks are for people who want their bikes to get stolen - but the Kryptonite U-locks are no good anymore either.

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I was using a pretty

Submitted by Andrew Plambeck on Thu, 08/17/2006 - 1:40pm.

I was using a pretty heavy-duty chain (not a cable), but have heard since the incident that the best method is to use two types of lock, because thieves usually have tools for only one kind of lock on hand. That's just what I was told, so some more insight may be available elsewhere.

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I have been told...

Submitted by Roland Chlapowski on Fri, 08/18/2006 - 9:39am.

that Kryponite-type U-locks, the hard ones shaped like a "U" are the best to use. (And as mentioned below, while there were some issues with U Locks some time ago, they have long since been solved.)

Since getting my bike stolen twice using other locks, this is the only type I use anymore.

Our office is currently working with PDOT, TriMet, PSU and other agencies to encourage more supervised, indoor bike parking. This should help prevent thefts in the future.

In the meantime, bring your bike indoors if possible, and use a U-lock, and possibly a second kind of lock, to keep your bike as secure as possible.

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U-locks: catch up, Kari

Submitted by Adrian Russell-Falla on Thu, 08/17/2006 - 10:38pm.

Kari,

uh, the Kryptonite problem is o-ld news.

their original U-locks (sold under various names) used a cylindrical key design. then some malevolent genius discovered it could be defeated easily with a Bic pen cap...

-- all U-locks on sale these days use a new lock/key design
-- beginning two years ago, Kryptonite ran a free exchange program for owners of existing locks. there was extensive coverage in MSM and online.

bottom line: if you have a U-lock, and the key is cylindrical, replace it. if the key isn't cylindrical, use it.

U-locks are significantly harder to cut than cables. Andrew is right, adding complexity does help deter some thieves.

Adrian Russell-Falla

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The round-key design isn't

Submitted by Matt Picio on Thu, 08/24/2006 - 1:36pm.

The round-key design isn't inherently bad, the only reason it was a problem in the Kryptonite locks was that the lock and key were the exact diameter of a Bic pen. Had they made a larger diameter locking mechanism, they would have been much less vulnerable.

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Bikes inside

Submitted by Warner on Fri, 08/18/2006 - 1:07pm.

Andrew, good posting, great points you made.

Here in the building where I work, downtown, the (dare I say it) County provides an entire room for thier employees to keep thier bikes. It seems to encourage lots of participation. If employers or landlords could provide that all over town, I'm sure the theft issue would improve greatly, and the thieves would move on to other, more fertile locations. Not that we want that, but at least they'd have to work harder. And I'm sure more folks would be encouraged to try bike commuting.

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