thief is able to cut your cable.”
It’s not just a catchy tag line,
it’s real (see below).
(Photo © J. Maus)
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.