'They nicked my bike from outside the Police station' Blog discussion 29 August 2007 at 12:46PM in Martin's blogs & appearances & MoneySavingExpert in the news 8 replies 3.1K views

Former_MSE_Lawrence

This is the discussion link on the back of Martin's 'They nicked my bike from outside the Police station' blog. Please read the blog first, as the discussion follows it.

Read Martin's 'They nicked my bike from outside the Police station' Blog

Elsa06

Last year my daughter bought a bike in Turkey 'cos it was a more superior quality and make than she could get for her money here in the UK. Being a student in Hull she took it there and for 1 year had in indoors in her student house using it when needed.
In June this year after qualifying as a teacher, she bought a lovely flat in Hull city centre with monitored car park which had bike railing etc. She bought very strong locks (2), a bike cover and as she couldn't bring her bike indoors, locked it to the railings. Within a couple of weeks - you've got it - pinched! They left the bike cover and locks. Police wouldn't do anything because it wasn't security marked, hence no crime number and as it was inexpensively bought and would increase her insurance, couldn't make a claim (or chose not to). She's keeping to her car or walking from now on!

Contains_Mild_Peril

Police should still give a crime reference number on request.

Iguana

My daughter had her bike stolen last year; the amazing thing was while she was having a panic attack about it a man nearby said words to the effect 'Don't worry I'll get it back' and went off and brought it back.

An honest thief or what!!???

danielle24

I lived in Hackney until recently and it wasn't so much my bike being stolen, but bits off it! At one point I chained it up with the d lock and a cable around the tyres and popped in for some milk at the local Morrisons. Five minutes later I came out and all that was left was the frame on the d lock - tyres, handlebars, saddle, wheels and everything else gone! This was in broad daylight in front of security cameras and the store's guards - but apparently they didn't get it on film!

rosebyanyothername

Elsa06 wrote: »

Last year my daughter bought a bike in Turkey 'cos it was a more superior quality and make than she could get for her money here in the UK. Being a student in Hull she took it there and for 1 year had in indoors in her student house using it when needed.
In June this year after qualifying as a teacher, she bought a lovely flat in Hull city centre with monitored car park which had bike railing etc. She bought very strong locks (2), a bike cover and as she couldn't bring her bike indoors, locked it to the railings. Within a couple of weeks - you've got it - pinched! They left the bike cover and locks. Police wouldn't do anything because it wasn't security marked, hence no crime number and as it was inexpensively bought and would increase her insurance, couldn't make a claim (or chose not to). She's keeping to her car or walking from now on!

:mad:
thing is that if you are serious about bike riding in uk today u have to ride an old bike and used locks and additional lock as i do. i have had four bikes nicked over past four years and usually my own fault using one lock or combination lock etc. i have learned my lesson on where it is safe to leave bike. of course u can never be certain it wont be stolen. i got latest bike from freecycle. all my kids have bikes we have no car so cycle everywhere in bristol. it is a city full of bike thieves unfortunately one time they nicked my sons bike and left me and my daughters older ones lying next to it. they had all been locked together. who would nick a five year olds bike/ total f....ers.
im not giving up on riding cause they are what they are. i just take added caution. plent y of people make it easier for them by leaving expensve bikes out with silly little locks. i on other hand ride old bike and use expensive locks. have seen blokes sizing up bikes parked in town to steal them. at boat festival last month was sitting on seat and young boy smartly dressed on a bike was hovering near some left bikes he made a mobile call and a van turned up and two dodgey guys got out with a cutting tool looked like. i descreet;y wanderd off and called the police,
now when ever i go out i get myself in frame of mind that there are peopel out there constantly on look out to steal my bike.
i still love to ride and will keep doing it.

Lorian

There is a standard for bicycle locks. If you are in a high crime area I suggest a lock that has passed the soldsecure gold test.

There is a list here (scroll down):

http://www.soldsecure.com/Leisure.htm

Also, remember to lock through the back wheel and the chain stays rather than through the main frame members. You protect your rear wheel at the same time then. Tether the front wheel to the main lock if required too (if you have quick release).

Smiley_Mum

There is a new scheme starting up here next week where any bikes which have been recovered by police or handed in etc, which haven't been claimed, they are being used by INTRANS. They are going to be letting the public use them, along with a bike lock so they can cut the traffic congestion in the City Centre. You take the bus in from home or whatever and then have a bike for the day from INTRANS, then at the end of the day take the bike back to INTRANS. Just register with them, as far as I can see it's a free scheme, it'll be interesting to see how it goes.

Contains_Mild_Peril

In the council housing scheme where I live, I've often seen bike frames chained to railings, with the wheels and sometimes even saddles gone.