Historicist: "The city that nobody loves"
Elsewhere in the Ist-a-Verse
The last time we saw a cyclist's note to her neighbours, it was all love, happiness, and kittens. But hope in humanity is so two years ago.
This week, someone left a not-so-nice note for an unnamed pedal pilferer on a bike post outside the Eaton Centre with the sentimental phrase, "Fuck you I hope you crash into a tree."
We emailed the bitter biker at his listed email for the details, expecting a tale of rage and resentment. B0th3r3d describes a bike as a mother would her baby―claiming he'd "lovingly" taken his ride into Bike Pirates just the day before for a tune-up and was "so happy riding it to work and back"―and then, disaster. "Some prick smashed the lock and stole it, who knows why? It wasn't worth anything to them. Yeah, I'm sad about it, some people are pricks."
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I own a nice Peugeot pedal bike so I feel his pain. What i don't feel is that if he loved his bike that much, why go with a cheap lock. Really though I find it hard to believe, there are dozens of bikes unlocked everywhere around that area, why would someone smash his lock to get his bike. Also, posting a note like that is kind of a bigger dick move than the theft, the theft will 99% never see that instead everyone else who passes by has to weep a little at his dismay and somewhat observable stupidity and illogical lock choosing behavior.
Sounds like you're blaming the victim. I'm not quite convinced leaving a note expressing frustration is a "bigger dick move" than stealing a bicycle that was locked — even if it was an allegedly inexpensive lock.
I really fail to see how leaving a note is a "bigger dick move" then the theft. If someone acts like an asshole, they deserve to be called an asshole. That's just what I think...
J-man stole the bike! I've solved the crime!
This sucks, I know the feeling of having a bike stolen.
I can remember when I was a kid in the mid 60's, nobody locked their bike and there were rows upon rows of them in the schoolyard. Newspaper boxes didn't have coin operated doors, there was a basic trust.
Times are different.
I think for lots of people - especially non-white people - the mid-60s was just as dangerous and distrustful as it is now, if not more.
There's an industry of stealing bikes and it's certainly not limited to T.O. I live in Stratford now and the first spring we lived here my beautiful Rootbeer KHS was stolen, right from inside my garage!!...that bike was my car when I lived in T.O. and my heart still weeps while I clunk around on my bulky Specialized. Mind you, we lock our garage with two locks and have the bikes locked inside too on our bike stand, so we've learned the hard way...
I'm kinda glad to hear this story. I just bought a new bike and am trying to decide what lock to get. Anyone want to offer tips, suggestions? Do those lock things that replace the 'quick release' on the wheels actually work?
The common wisdom is that the high-end locks like Kryptonite's Evolution or New York work best, beating chains, cables. I don't know of any stats to back it up, though. Also, the special locks are said to be a good deterrant but I guess if you're a professional thief you could carry the special keys required for those locks...
Sadly the effort on this sign was wasted; bike thieves don't feel guilt or shame like normal people. They fully embrace that atheist bus slogan.
I fully embrace the athiest bus' slogan and I don't steal bikes. I don't know what not believing in god and enjoying life has to do with being a nice person who doesn't steal bikes.
Because some people who believe in god think that you can't be a moral person without fear of some kind of cosmic boogie-man to punish you in an imaginary candy-land after death if you step out of line. Feel pity for those with such weak minds and those that can't do what is decent based on it's own merit. Just remind them that most of the heinous crimes in this world were caused by people who weren't atheists and indeed were in the name of their gods.
Although nothing is foolproof, I have found that 2 locks is key. One Kryptonite/ulock (I use a series 4) and a thick cable/chain/other type of lock. I am not sure how true it is, but I have hard that 'theives' usually carry around one type of tool - having two differnt locks ups the chances they don't have the proper tool with them. If anything, there are many other bikes out there with one lock and most thieves will choose the bike with one lock over the bike with two.
I have had my bike for two years in the city and have yet to have it stolen with two locks. In a moment of weakness, tt has even survived an overnighter on Queen W. near Bathurst (ill advised mind you!!!)
Agreed; my two locks cost nearly as much as my lovely little cheapie but they are worth the peace of mind. I use one to lock to the post and the other to lock both wheels to the post and so far so good. but beware the wrath of the thwarted thief. I've had bits and pieces stolen, like my rack, instead. The rack was a dick move as it wasn't worth more than $15 and prevented me from taking my stuff to work that day.
Bike thieves only need 2 tools. A ballpin hammer and a can of butane.
Take butane, stick inside key hole. Fill for about 5 seconds (or until sufficiently frozen), smash keyhold with ballpin hammer.
98% of the time that's all it takes. You can steal a bike in about 15 seconds with this method and it all it looks like to passersby is you fiddling with the key in the lock.
I'm so paranoid of someone stealing my bike. I remember also when you didn't have to lock them up, or if you were in a sketchy area all you had to do was flip it upside down.
This one time, some dude(tte) stole my derailer -- stripped it right off the bike! I was like, what the fuck? How much can you get for a used derailer that wasn't even that good to begin with? It was a big pain to get that disabled bike to a repair shop, too.
I'd suggest moving the word "@$$hole" out of the post title... you won't see accepted media with curse words in headlines.
Otherwise, it's never fun losing a bike. BikingToronto's Stolen Bike Listing may help.
"accepted media"
u_u
Looks like it was fully accepted to me.
as an avid bicyclist and bmxer for more years than i wish to recant a word of advice that has helped me out
create a ride no one else can ride
my bike
http://32teeth.org/#delta=0&set=126&sets=0
brakeless (!= brainless)
freecoaster (anti backpedal)
Thanks for all the suggestions. After poking around online about bike locks I think I'm even more confused! It seems the safest bet is to use a u-lock and then a cable that loops through the wheels and seat.
Many suggest a smaller u-lock is better as it reduces the thief's chance of getting 'leverage' to break the lock. Counter-intuitively, many people suggest this method for the u-lock. It also seems that the freon or butane method of breaking locks is a bit of an urban myth.
Instead of the cable for the wheels, there's also a thing called 'PitLock' that replaces the quick release bolts on the wheels and seat - there are 256 different 'keys' for PitLocks, so it's pretty unlikely that a thief would have the right key.
A rather funny suggestion: if you have a good lock, lock yours near other bikes since it's likely that one of those will have a crappy lock or won't be locked at all and a thief will go for that, not yours. And it makes sense to lock it in a busy area, make your bike unique, and don't leave leave it locked outside overnight.
I suppose the only way to ensure your bike doesn't get stolen is to either not have a bike or never leave it anywhere - but I'm not letting the 'terrorists' win! lol ...I think it helps to remember that it's very likely someone will at least try to steal your bike, so be 'mentally prepared' for that eventuality.
oops - those links have an extra / at the end
I have a Kryptonite New York u-lock and have cycled in this city for 5 years now without a problem. I figure there are plenty of bikes with easier locks to break around... but I never leave it out overnight.
I live in Chinatown and frequently work at Queen and Bathurst. I regularly leave my bike with a single Kryptonite U-Lock through the frame and have never had a problem.
Occasionally, douchebags wander up from Richmond and kick my bike before getting Chinese food and make it so i have to straighten out the wheel in the morning... but my old beater can handle it.
I think people are too paranoid.