(Photo from WPVI-TV)
Bike theft is a national problem. I know we’ve focused on it quite a bit here in Portland, but I think it’s important to know that every major city is struggling with the issue.
As part of my daily grind I skim news headlines for bicycle-related items. One story that I think is worth sharing comes from WPVI-TV (ABC) in Philadelphia. I was struck by how it described such a similar situation to what we’re experiencing here in Portland.
What really amazed me was the video the news station shared. In it, a thief wearing a hoodie and gloves unscrews a sign pole, lifts it out of the ground, throws it on the sidewalk and cooly pedals away. All in just 30 seconds.
Check it out below…
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Nabbing bikes that were locked to traffic sign poles has happened in Portland, but to see someone do this on video is jaw-dropping.
Makes me wonder how the City of Portland affixes its traffic signs to the sidewalk.
This underscores the need for cities to provide as much secure bicycle parking as possible. Often people lock up to sign poles because there’s no other parking around and/or existing parking is full.