Bicycle thefts rise with summer temperatures

Usually someone gets knocked off a bike and beaten for the BIKE. Some juvenile derelict/thug from across the tracks almost always gets away with it.

My nephew identified a thief once and the Judge let him go saying there was not enough evidence to convict a teenager, even after he was picked out of a line up one month after it happened.
Life in America, where thugs rule!

How does one go about registering a bike? Could you provide any info on that? Thanks.

Sarah wrote:

How does one go about registering a bike? Could you provide any info on that? Thanks.

Contact your local police department for information.

Sarah wrote:

How does one go about registering a bike? Could you provide any info on that? Thanks.

contact your local police dept. or city hall

Sarah wrote:

How does one go about registering a bike? Could you provide any info on that? Thanks.

See

http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/j...

(although it is a little ridiculous I have to do this for the Trib...)

thieves a plenty wrote:

Usually someone gets knocked off a bike and beaten for the BIKE.

In Chicago, maybe -- but not in Naperville.

Over the past 15 years, I have had 3 registered bikes stolen in Chicago.

In one case, while I was at work, the lock to my Trek was cut and when I went outside for a smoke, I saw a girl, riding away on my bike and managed to catch her and recover it.

In the other two cases I reported the theft to the Chicago Police who seemed entirely unconcerned.

Has the CPD ever recovered a stolen bike, registered or otherwise?

politwriter wrote:

Over the past 15 years, I have had 3 registered bikes stolen in Chicago.
In one case, while I was at work, the lock to my Trek was cut and when I went outside for a smoke, I saw a girl, riding away on my bike and managed to catch her and recover it.
In the other two cases I reported the theft to the Chicago Police who seemed entirely unconcerned.
Has the CPD ever recovered a stolen bike, registered or otherwise?

They recover plenty, and those that aren't registered are auctioned off monthly.

As far as being knocked off your bike in Chicago, that's just an asinine comment.

Just today I was sitting outside at around 8:50 having a coffee and two guys came by inspecting the bike rack (and my bike) way too closely. When I said something to them they had the audacity to tell me to mind my own business. I won't go into the argument that went on after that.

bike theft is a HUGE problem in this town, the easiest way to avoid bike theft is to not leave you're bike out on the street locked-up and unattended for long periods of time. how does one accomplish such a feat if they use their bike for daily commuting or everyday transportation? simple, get a folding bike. i ride my bike to work everyday, and when i get to the office i fold up my bike, carry it into work with me and store it under my desk.

folding bikes are also great for use in tandem with our public transportation system as folding bike are allowed on all trains at all times.

with their versatility, i can't for the life of my understand why folding bikes aren't more popular in this city. why buy a new bike year after year because of theft, when you can simply buy one folding bike that will last you decades because you can simply fold it up and take it with instead of leaving it to the thieves out on the street?

I've had my bicycle seat stolen twice, and my car broken into several times. The Chicago police couldn't care less. Why? Because these are so-called "nonviolent, petty crimes" that aren't worth their time and trouble. And the thieves know this. Believe me, they wouldn't be doing it so brazenly if they didn't know they could get away with it.

Chicago should take a page from Guiliani's book - when he started cracking down on petty crime and quality of life issues, the overall crime rate plunged in New York. If you look the other way with the small stuff, that's when serious crime festers out of control.

The first day of nice weather I biked downtown to work, locked my bike with a cable to a bike rack across the street from the Sears Tower. It was stolen by that afternoon. I later noticed that everyone who used cables on that rack also locked their bikes with u-locks. So important not just to lock your bike, but the right locks. Sigh.

jfx wrote:

The first day of nice weather I biked downtown to work, locked my bike with a cable to a bike rack across the street from the Sears Tower. It was stolen by that afternoon. I later noticed that everyone who used cables on that rack also locked their bikes with u-locks. So important not just to lock your bike, but the right locks. Sigh.

I had one that was locked with a cable stolen in April. I got it back in early May, so keep your hopes up and eyes open. Since then I've kept my bikes inside at work - check with your building manager, they may have some out of the way corner where you could stash it.

ALWAYS use U-locks like the ones Kryptonite make. It is ridiculously easy to cut cable locks. Better yet, use both. Thieves will always go for the easiest bike (single cable lock) and skip the ones with two locks, one being an unbreakable U-lock. This should be common sense if you are in the city.

You will think that Illinois working wage is now $7.75 an hour as of July 1, some of these folks, who have a place to live, will apply for a job. But no! Thats to hard and not enought money.
Its easier and quicker to steal someone else property.

First people are stealing gas from cars, now its bikes. What's next? Cabs, CTA transit/monthly cards, and Metra tickets.

Mcgruff the Crime Dog says if it takes more than 15 seconds for a thief to break a lock they usually, but not always, give up and move on to the next bike/home/car/etc... If you don't have a lock, booby trap your bike http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s-4-4...

This is a commie conspiracy and the mob is also involved.

you want I should have the boys come in with their louiville sluggers?

In New Yawk we take the tires off after we lock up the bike - it still gets stolen but at least we still have 2 good tires.

News headline of the year on this one. You mean more bikes get stolen during the summer??? As opposed to all those bikes hanging around in December?