A few years ago, I called a GPS bike tracker the "Holy Grail" of bike theft. If someone could just develop a discreet, affordable GPS device that would allow someone to track their bike after it was stolen, I thought, we would have a potent weapon against the scourge of bike thieves.

Now a Portland company says they've done just that.

Veteran entrepreneur Kris Akins has started several successful companies over the past 33 years. After having two bikes stolen from her garage, she looked for a device that would allow her to track the bike on her mobile phone. When she couldn't find one, her entrepreneurial spirit kicked in and BikeTrak was born. Akins bills the patent-pending product as, "the first GPS-powered security device for your bike."

The transmitter is at right, encased in a carrier.

Akins won the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network Seed Championship earlier this month, and after keeping the product secret while it was developed over the last year, she says it's finally ready for public attention.

Here's how Akins describes the device:

"... a GPS-cellular device, covertly attachable to bikes, that will alert owners if their bike moves when it is not supposed to and track it if stolen. A BikeTrak [software] app will send the bike’s location directly to a map on your cellphone and a report button will allow you to send a picture of your bike, serial number and other data directly to the police along with a hot map of the bike’s location. You may also set up to have the theft information sent to your neighborhood watch group or cycling group, etc."

Akins says they'll also offer a special version of the app for law enforcement officials. That app will allow officers to see pop-ups on their in-car computers or on their smartphones when they enter an area that contains stolen bikes. Imagine it like this, as Akins explains,

"A cruiser can be driving down the road and as they approach a house with tracker bikes registered as stolen those bikes will pop up on their computers just because they are within say 500 yards of the stolen bikes."

To turn her idea into reality, Akins teamed up with Monty Goodson, n Electrical Engineer and an expert at high speed circuit board design and miniaturization. Over the last year or so, Akins also put together a board of advisors make up of "Portland bicycle experts" and she has done extensive testing and surveying to make sure the product hits all the right chords.

A screenshot of the map BikeTrak would provide owners to track the location of their bike.

Akins says the first version of the device will mounted externally, but will be discreet and "as imperceptible as possible to thieves." Product version 2.0, she adds, will be installed inside a bike's frame tubing. To save battery life, the unit will be turned off unless an event triggers it to come on. For instance, Akins says "If your bike is parked outside the coffee shop and someone starts messing with it, an immediate alert will be sent to your cell phone."

Testing the tracking system.

Another cool feature is a proximity fob that will automatically arm and disarm the device so that if you are on your bike it turns off, but when you walk a few yards away it is automatically armed.

The duo are doing final testing on prototypes and they've already got commitments lined up from local manufacturers and retailers. Akins says BikeTrak will be available in bike shops by this summer. Akins says retail price will likely be $299, which she realizes is "way too high" so they hope to have it down to $199 within a year.

With her win at the Oregon Seed Championship, Akins has earned a chance to pitch the product at the Angel Oregon investors conference in April where she hopes to win much-needed investment that will help catapult BikeTrak to market.

The BikeTrak device holds a lot of potential; but it also brings up several issues.

Just today, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that a GPS device attached to a vehicle of a drug dealer by the FBI was not legal because they didn't have a warrant. In case you're wondering, that ruling wouldn't come into play in the case of a citizen attaching a GPS unit to their own property and then providing the data to law enforcement officials.

Also, while BikeTrak (if it works as advertised) will alert you that your bike has been stolen and tell you where it is, there's still the issue of getting your bike back. Would you have the guts to approach a thief? If you think the police will simply roll up and get it back for you, you might be disappointed. We're lucky here in Portland that our police bureau takes bike theft seriously and they will assist citizens in recovery of stolen bikes; but only under certain circumstances.

And what if the GPS only gives you an approximate location? In a dense city, will it be able to pinpoint someone in a crowd? Or a specific apartment unit in a multi-story building?

Akins says they are always tuning the algorithms to be more precise; but right now they can get to within a single-family house and they're "aiming at being able to pinpoint which apartment in a complex, although if it's multistory we'd need to add altimeter data."

In the end, more technology to help thwart bike thieves is a very good thing (we'd love to see RFID used); but it will never solve the problem on its own. Our best advice is to do everything you can to prevent theft in the first place. Then, if you still lose your bike, use any means necessary to get it back!

— Read more about BikeTrak in today's edition of The Oregonian.

Once again bike theft seems to be on the uptick in the Portland region. In August we had a record 109 stolen bike listings and we're on pace for a big increase in September (52 listed already). This morning I learned of two thefts over the weekend from local bike shops — both of which came during test rides.

Lakeside Bicycles employee Robert Shigeta reports that two men came into their shop around noon on Saturday. After looking around at bikes and talking with sales people, one of them asked to test ride a Lynskey cyclocross bike (see the listing here).

As collateral for the bike, the man offered up a Florida driver's license. Unfortunately it was fake. Shigeta says they've given the fake ID to the Lake Oswego Police and the theft is currently under investigation. (Shigeta describes the man as a white male, about 5-foot 8-inches and around 30 years old.)

And yesterday, a similar thing happened to Citybikes on SE 8th and Ankeny.

According to a shop employee, a man asked to test ride a Surly Long Haul Trucker. As collateral, the man left behind a bag. Unfortunately, "[the bag] was worthless" says the employee. Citybikes has listed the stolen bike and they've offered a $100 shop gift certificate for information leading to its recovery. Keep your eyes peeled.

Thankfully, at least at Lakeside, this type of theft isn't common. Shigeta says he's worked there since 2009 and hasn't experience it and it's only happened a few times in the shop's 14 years in business. Even so, if you work at a shop, let these recent thefts be a reminder to stay vigilant when sending bikes out on test rides.

— For more on recent bike thefts, watch the KGW-TV news tonight at 4:45, 5:00 and 6:00. Also check out our Stolen Bikes page for tips on prevention and recovery.

I've got some good news and bad news about bike theft in Portland. First, the good news...

So far in 2011, BikePortland has received about 17% fewer stolen bike listings compared to this time last year. From January 1 to August 9th 2010, there were 397 stolen bikes listed. During that same stretch this year, just 331 listings have come in.

In July 2010, there were 90 stolen bike listings. This past July there were just 62.

Of course, the decrease is likely due to the cooler weather we've had this year since bike theft always tends to rise as higher temperatures bring out all those fair-weather (and not-as-conscientious-with-bike-locking) riders. But I'd also like to think that people are just getting smarter and more aware of basic bike theft prevention.

Speaking of prevention, the #1 best thing you can do to prevent your bike from being stolen is to lock it up with a high-quality U-lock or heavy-gauge chain. Cable locks are a bike thief's best friend.

On that note, check out this photo snapped by Portlander Tom Becker...

Becker says it was 7:00 am on Saturday morning. "I was out for a walk when I saw this low life checking out locked up bikes. He saw the one he wanted and Snip! The thief had his ride for the day."

According to Becker, the thief was a "pro." "After he snipped the chain [it was a cable lock], he was gone in less than 20 seconds."

Let that be a lesson: cable locks and measly thin chains and cable locks are like a big sign telling thieves to take your bike. Invest in a high-quality lock — the heavier the better. They might be harder to carry, but they'll make your bike harder to steal (as this brazen bike thief learned back in April).

— Learn about bike theft at BikePortland's Stolen Bikes page. Browse past coverage in the archives.

(Update: This image has been blurred to protect the subject's identity (see below). — Jonathan Maus)

The image was taken by a person who works nearby and was sent into the PPB's Central Precinct. The location is on NW Glisan just west of Broadway near Union Station in downtown Portland.

According to the PPB, when the man saw his photo being taken, he jumped on his bike (in the background) and fled the scene. The PPB are trying to identify the man. If anyone has information, please call the PPB non-emergency number at (503) 823-3333.

UPDATE, 8:30pm: After hearing concern from a reader about putting this man's identity front and center, I decided to blur his face. I am more interested in the act and the context of the story than I am about catching this particular thief. That job is better left to the police. Thanks for understanding.

Back in 2007, we shared what looked to be a clever method of stealing bikes — unscrewing the bolts that anchor the rack to the sidewalk. Then about a year ago, we reported an actual theft that had occurred in Southwest Portland after someone completely unscrewed a staple rack.

And now, in the most brazen attempt to take a bike I've ever seen in Portland, reader Jimmy C. has evidence of a staple rack on N. Interstate and Rosa Parks Way that has been completely sawed through. Here's the note Jimmy sent us along with these photos...

"For the last several weeks, at least three or four, there has been a grey Scott bike [like this one] locked up with a U-lock at the corner of Interstate and Rosa Parks... Over time, the wheels and saddle and post were stolen and just today, I noticed the rack had been cut. I have never seen a rack cut before to take a bike. It looks like a power tool of some sort was used to cut through the rack."

Here's another photo...

PBOT bike parking program manager Sarah Figliozzi says crews are on their way to check it out.

What strikes me is how much noise and/or time this must have taken. And, someone must have been very desperate to have a bike! UPDATE: A commenter below makes a good point. This could also have been the result of the bike's owner who might have lost the key to their lock.

[Via BikeBiz]

Word is quickly spreading on the Interwebs tonight about what many have considered the Holy Grail of bike theft — a GPS tracker for bicycles.

UK-based GPS Track This now offers (wholesale only at this point it seems) the "Spylamp Bicycle GPS Tracker", a small device that is hidden in a rear light. They also offer a free smartphone/text/web service that can track your bike when it gets stolen. Here's an excerpt from a story in BikeBiz.com:

"Activated by pressing the on/off button for three seconds, the light flashes three times to confirm it is activated. The Spylamp has a vibration sensor, which is armed when activated, detecting movement in the event of a bike thief stealing the bike. The device sends an SMS text message to the owners mobile to notify that the bike is moving, and then uploads its position to GPS Track This’ website every 20 seconds until the vibration has stopped. The website plots the course of the bike on a map, revealing the bike’s location."

I asked our resident bike theft expert, creator of StolenBicycleRegistry.com and co-developer of the BikePortland Stolen Bike Listings Bryan Hance, what his thoughts were about this potentially revolutionary product:

1) I question if it'll play nice with US cellular networks, the SIM/text charges will differ over here depending on the cellular provider. Its tech specs make it look compatible with our networks but since they're shipping with a UK/Tesco prepaid SIM I wonder what the cheapest equivalent will be here in the U.S. (The two biggest cell providers in the U.S. that support GPRS, according to Wikipedia, are AT&T and T-mobile. The cheapest prepaid T-mobile card is $10.)

2) 1 year battery life? seriously? my standard light doesn't even last this long, so I wonder if this is actually true

3) Cops may not 100% like it because they don't like people recovering their own gear. Leads to assaults. Plus even with GPS tracking if it's in an apartment building or other high density area you're pretty much screwed. But still better than nothing.

4) Thieves will adapt and start looking for these but this mention is more promising "The firm also similar tracking devices in the works too, including a tracker hidden inside the bicycle frame".

If the Spylamp proves reliable in the field, it could change how law enforcement and communities across the globe deal with the scourge of bike theft. Bryan has requested a review sample. We'll keep you posted. In the meantime, poke around the GPS Track This website or download the Spylamp owners manual (PDF) to learn more.

"If the person looking to buy my bike from Goodwill hadn't checked your site, I would have never recovered it... Thanks!"
— A happily reunited bike owner

It's been a while since we mentioned our Stolen Bike Listings or shared a stolen bike recovery story. I used to keep track of every recovery, but after we had about 20 or so, I stopped counting and they didn't really seem like news anymore.

But just in the last few weeks, we've confirmed three recoveries. They made us feel so good that I thought it'd be fun to share the stories with you. Each one shows that a combination of serials numbers and Good Samaritans are sometimes all you need to get your bike back.

So here goes...

Mike gets his bike (and a new light!) back

A few days ago, Mike Burnett got an email from a woman claiming to have his stolen bike (a $900 Lemond Fillmore). She emailed Mike saying she had acquired his bike from a co-worker who was fired for theft, so she became suspicious of where it came from. When she searched the bike's serial number, Mike's stolen bike listing came up. From there, Mike and the woman got in touch.

"Sorry for your loss," the woman wrote via email, "I hope that I can help reunite you with your bike."

Here's what happened next (as shared with us via email from Mike):

"I wrote her back and told her that it was indeed my bike and offered her the original $100 reward I had intended. She called me back and she and her friend brought the bike over the same day. The bike was in great shape with all the same parts as when it was stolen. The only difference was it had a new front light installed by the thief!"

One of those "too good to be true" deals

The next story comes from a reader named Drew, who got his Trek 1.2 road bike stolen near SE 29th and Belmont on November 9th. When someone purchased the $800 bike for $175 at the Lloyd Center MAX station they thought the deal was too good to be true. When they got home and searched online for the serial number, Drew's stolen bike listing came up. Drew got a phone call from the Good Samaritan, gave him $175, and got his bike back.

"So the site really does work," Drew shared with us via email. "Thanks so much for all the effort y'all are putting into it."

Goodwill hunting by a Good Samaritan

Reader David M was shopping at the Goodwill bins on November 3rd and saw a Specialized Sirrus Sport "in perfect condition." When he asked one of the employees if the serial number had been checked prior to setting it out for sale, they said it had been; but when he went home and Googled the model name, our stolen bike listing popped up. "The serial number was different by one digit," David said, "so I phoned Goodwill, I emailed the bike owner, and last night I received the good news from the bike owner that she had received her bike back!"

We also heard from the bike's owner, Sarah Abbott. She said she never wrote down here serial number and the one given to her by the bike shop she bought it from was wrong, "leaving my police report useless" (also explaining why Goodwill didn't know it was stolen). Sarah says her bike (which retails for about $1,000) was stolen and then left on a TriMet bus and eventually given to Goodwill. "If the person looking to buy my bike from Goodwill hadn't checked your site, I would have never recovered it. Goodwill was kind enough to let me look at it and prove it was mine. In closing... Thanks!"

You're welcome Sarah!

At last count, we had about 2,556 stolen bikes listed on this site since I first launched the service back in September 2005 (there was a long hiatus when they were broken and no listings were taken). The key to their success has always been awareness of the listings themselves and then having people go the extra mile to help out a stranger.

Thanks to everyone in the community that keeps eyes peeled for stolen bikes and who takes the time to search online when something seems fishy. Also, a big thanks to Bryan Hance, the man who created the Stolen Bicycle Registry and who has helped us improve our listings and make them even more effective.

[via KOIN-TV]

Paul Lebelle and Adam Burkowske arrived in Portland on Saturday afternoon after biking over 3,000 miles on their "Bike Free" charity ride. The duo are on a mission to provide bicycles to children of people in the military. Unfortunately their plans are on hold because Paul's Cannondale touring bike was stolen last night.

Here's what Lebelle told KOIN:

"We were going to head out to one of the arts festivals here on Labor day, then decided we wanted to eat a bagel first so we made the bagel, popped back outside and the bike was gone."

Lebelle has filed a police report and has created a Stolen Bike Listing, but so far they've had no luck getting it back.

Lebelle has posted more about the theft on BikeFree.org:

"My trusty Cannondale bike – she took me over 3500 miles from Maryland to Oregon – and she was a beauty.

I’m not sure what we’re going to do, but I know that Adam and I must complete our journey and carry out the Bike Free mission.

Some way, with God’s help, we’ll overcome this selfish deed, get bikes to the kids, and continue spreading the word about the goodness of bikes."

Paul emailed this morning and said all their plans are on hold right now. "We can't make our journey without the bike. Can't even get around town... Not sure where we'll be staying - everything is up in the air."

Keep your eyes peeled for a 2010 green Cannondale T2 with Specialized Avatar saddle, Top Contact Continental tires, blue handlebar grip tape, silver Shimano clipless pedals (half platform/half clip), 3 black water bottle cages, rear rack, cycle computer, large rectangle “Never Stop Riding” sticker on top tube, Yellowstone National Park sticker on downtube.

The bike was stolen between 1:00 and 3:00 pm near the 4600 block of NE Grand Ave. If you see the bike call the police and then call Paul at (443) 310-9096.

Here's a video that ran on KGW TV:

The saga of Johnnie Olivan's "bike-car" has come to an unfortunate end.

Johnnie Olivan.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Johnnie is the guy who makes bike trailers, sculptures, and multi-rider "bike-cars" out of reused bike parts under his Rejuiced Bikes banner. Back in October 2009, I shared his excellent custom trailer designs with you and then followed up in March with big news that he'd won a $15,000 grant to build several "bike-cars."

Then, at the end of June, Johnnie's nearly completed bike-car prototype was stolen after being left unlocked outside his house on N. Williams Avenue in the Piedmont Neighborhood.

Today I heard from Johnnie that his bike was found last week in front of a dumpster at the Humboldt Gardens housing development on N. Vancouver and Alberta. As you can see by the taco'd rear wheel in the photo above, it must have been joy-ridden and left there.

Unfortunately, according to Johnnie, Humboldt Gardens staff thought it was left by the dumpster as trash and didn't check with the police to see if it was stolen so they disposed of it. The bike was hauled away to a Metro metal recycling facility.

Johnnie says he called the Metro location and one worker said he remembered seeing it, but it was too late. The bike was put in a bin and was cut up "into little pieces."

Sad but not defeated, Johnnie says, "The bike is gone....going to build some more."

A local bike builder who received a $15,000 grant back in March to build a fleet of 'bike cars' has had the first working prototype stolen from his front yard in North Portland last night/this morning.

Rear view

Johnnie Olivan of Rejuiced Bikes has spent months working on his custom, three-wheeled bike that has a ramp in the rear for wheelchair access. Olivan gave test-rides on the bike at the City of Portland's Adaptive Bike Clinic held back in May. The bike is made for three people: Two that pedal on each side and one person in a wheelchair that rolls up a ramp in the rear and powers the bike with a hand-crank.

Check out more information and photos via the BikePortland stolen bike listing and the Craigslist post.