Looks like I won't be riding for a while

hisoka

Yeap, joined the massive groups of people who have had their bike stolen.
It wasn't a great bike, Giant Expression, but it was my main transport for everywhere but work. It would happen a month when I can't afford to replace, might not even be able to replace for a while yet.
Just really p*ssed me off, the person used bolt cutters (I should have had a D lock, but the reasonable D locks nearly cost 1/2 the bike cost, and I know it was a bolt cutter as they left the lock on the actual place it was locked to!) from a proper bike lock up place which is public and in good view from a major road too.
Reporting it to the police though I have to say was painless this morning, very helpful operator even though they didn't know bikes they took all the information down I could supply.
I'm just venting I think as the bike is my main means of transport and sort of my symbol of freedom (I don't drive, just never finished learning and really don't think I would be a good car driver), sorry to be annoying to all of you if it has been.

Tom Butcher

There needs to be something done about bike theft - how are we supposed to encourage bike use when you can't leave anything worth more than a tenner without having an even chance it'll be gone when you return.

If you need a cheap bike my advice would be go to the local tip and ask if they have anything in your size - mine charges a tenner for anything and they normally have some roadworthy stuff there - good enough to tide you over anyway.

unclemalc

Sympathies to you. I must admit I never park a bike out of sight these days as I would really lose it if I found someone messing with the thing with intent to steal.
Insurance?? If it was covered and all the paperwork as regards the crime is filed with the Police, and you have some proof of ownership (receipts, photos etc), it shouldn't be a problem.

When I was a student a mate had his pride and joy nicked, and a week later he saw his bike being ridden over Magdalen Bridge by some knob so he gave chase, knocked off said knob and retrieved the bike. 8)
When mine got nicked at roughly the same time I reported it to the local police and a bit of time later was invited to fetch it from their lockup, as it had been found (!!).
The 'lockup' was like that big warehouse at the end of the 1st Indiana Jones film - it was vast. I could have described any half decent road bike and I'm sure I would have 'found' it there...(this was Oxford - so many bikes..... :shock: ).
Anyway - go for insurance claim...

hisoka

I've been checking over my insurance, and I think (from my understanding) that it isn't covered outside of the house (or external brick building aka garage).
Forgive me while I scream a bit more at not checking that before too. I feel rather stupid now.
Now a bike tip, not heard of one of those might have to look into that. Though I did have two friends offer me the bikes they will never use today, might have to take them up on that until christmas and the potential for cycle2work scheme at work coming about again.


Forget on orginal reply to say thank you for the support, we can but see if the police have it turn up. My fingers are crossed alot here.

pneumatic

I had my bike nicked whilst on tour in Dorset in 1978.

Strange thing is, 30 years on and 4 bikes later, I still do a double take every time I see one that looks the same. So, anyone still riding a coffee brown Raleigh Sports with 3 speed sturmey archer gears, if you don't have proof of purchase, be very afraid!