Stop Thief

Lock your Bicycle discussed some of the common sense things you could do to reduce the risk of having your bicycle stolen. In Lock your Bicycle – Winning I showcased two of the three classic videos created by Hal Ruzal. Where he walks the streets of New York City rating how well bicycles are locked, a great way to see multiple examples of good and bad locked bikes.

So what can you do to prepare for the possibility of your bike being stolen? No one wants to have their bike stolen, but there are some common steps solutions to protect yourself if it happens.

1. Write down the serial number on your bike. Turn your bicycle upside down and look at the underside of the bottom bracket. The part where the axle for the pedals passes through the frame. The serial number is the most effective way to prove ownership and to help reunite you with our bike if it is recovered.
2. Treat your bicycle like a supermodel – Give it a fashion shoot. Take pictures of the bike; especially the serial number and closeups of parts that can be used to identify your bike. Make sure you can clearly read anything printed on them.
3. Selfies!! - Now that you have immortalized your bicycle, its time to proclaim your relationship to the world. Take pictures of you and the bicycle together.
4. Take all these pictures and store them on-line. Create a private album on Facebook, Instagram or some other site that only you can see. In the event of theft you can access this information
5. Last but not least FILE A POLICE REPORT. There have been several stolen bikes recovered through the Philly Stolen Bikes Facebook page, as long as five months later. Having a police report that includes the serial number and a picture of your bike is the most effective way to recover your bike. Especially if you find it on Craigslist or locked on the street. Or if the police recover the bike they can match the serial number to a police report.

Friday Funnies - Cars

Bike Hacks

Recently I came across bikehacks.com, a website full of interesting solutions to common problems that some cyclists may experience. After searching through the website I found two solutions that I was really intrigued by.


We've all experienced the problem with U-locks where the shackle (the U section of the lock) dings and chips the paint on your bike frame. So someone came up with a simple solution, by sliding a piece of garden hose over the shackle. An easy and cost effective solution since many hardware stores sell five and ten foot long sections of garden hose. Or just pick one up at a yard sale.


Another hack answered the question of what if you live in a city that does sell cargo bikes and you want one to transport your children by bicycle. For one man living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil it was build a sidecar for his bicycle, more importantly he built a detachable sidecar. A great solution for home owners who do not have a garage and the bike owner and it does not require you to do an extensive modification to an existing bike. Since this hack was first created the creator has created a website to see how his sidecar designs have evolved along with his children.

Bike Thief Alert #2 - Arrested

 Meet DJ Domie or Papi D as he likes to call himself. Business man, DJ, and alleged bicycle thief. We have to use the word alleged because he has not been convicted in court....yet.

I am an alleged bike thief

I am an alleged bike thief

I am an alleged DJ

About two months ago this Bianci bicycle was stolen in the vicinity of South 22^nd St and St. Albans in North East Philadelphia.

 and in late August this ad appeared on Craigslist;

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/4031719655.html

I Have A Bianchi bike that i want to sell lookin for best offer and no not no 7,8, 900 dollars for it look it up before you offer lookin for a far price is not a cheap bike.


A member of the Philadelphia Stolen Bikes Facebook page spotted it and alerted the owner who posted the stolen bike. A meet was set up to look at the bike which included under cover and uniformed officers from the Philadelphia Police Department. Once the owner identified the bike an arrest was made. After that it was all down hill for alleged bike thief DJ Domie/Papi D. and alleged comedian. When he claimed "his cousin who is the number one rider in philly gave it to him".

So now what? Before everyone runs out to the hardware store to buy pitchforks and torches to form an angry mob. DJ Domie/Papi D. brought a concealed and loaded hand gun with him, he most likely will be charged with a felony, and spend some time in prison. Its also safe to assume his friends have a similar affinity towards concealed weapons, so visiting his neighborhood would not be a good idea.

What you can do is share this post with everyone you know. You never know who is going to see it and what they may be able to do.

What Statistics?

As the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia prepares for its fall bicycle count a question needs to be asked. What are they trying to hide or are they just lazy? If you go to the BCGP website you will find that the most recent statistics they have from their bike counts is from 2008, FIVE years old. IS there something within the last five years statistics the BCGP does not want people to see. But that's assuming the BCGP is smarter than they appear and that is not the case. The BCGP is lazy.

How difficult is it for the BCGP to compile the one years statistics, format and publish them on their website in a timely manner? Obviously very difficult. Its time for the BCGP to return to the basics, being advocates for Philadelphia cyclists. Something they lost sight of when they gave control of bicycle lane approval to Philadelphia's city council. Turning future bicycle lane development into a political tool to be used by a group of people who may not always be looking out for Philadelphia's best interests and lack the knowledge of a civil engineer.

With the BCGP's newest strategy of “Completing the Circuit”, a plan to create a larger trail system that connects Philadelphia with the suburbs. You have to ask yourself how do you hold an organization like the BCGP accountable when they make a questionable agreement that affects every cyclist and not just their membership?