Bike theft continues to rise steeply in Seattle. And that not only costs people money, but many people won’t replace their stolen wheels. At a time when our increasingly congested city needs more people to get around by bike, theft is a growing impediment.
Brock Howell’ Bicycle Security Advocates group has put together a presentation for the City Council’s Transportation Committee meeting 2 p.m. today (Tuesday) and will host a public panel discussion 6:30 – 8 p.m. this evening at Métier on Capitol Hill.
The basic question: What can we do to stop the rise in thefts?
More details from Bicycle Security Advocates:
Have you ever had your bike stolen? Do you manage a bike shop?
Help fight back against bike theft! Join us for a panel discussion on bike theft and indexing on May 16 at Metier. The region’s leading experts on addressing bike theft will discuss the current state of the problem and what we can do about it.
Panel Discussion on Bike Theft & Indexing
Tuesday, May 16
6:30 – 8 p.m.
Métier, 1017 E Union St, Seattle WA 98122
Panelists: Moderator: Amy Gore, Councilmember Rob Johnson’s Office
Bryan Hance, Bike Index
Brock Howell, Bicycle Security Advocates
Seattle Police Department
Kendra Borzio, UWPD
Deputy Thomas Liu, King County Sheriff Office
More TBACo-Sponsors:
Bicycle Security Advocates, Bike Index, Bike Works, Cascade Bicycle Club, Commute Seattle, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, Métier, Seattle Bike Blog, Seattle Neighborhood Greenways, Sportworks Racks, TiGr LocksShow-up before 6:30 p.m. to get your beers and food and settle down. Listen to the panelists’ presentations for about an hour. Participate in a moderated Q&A for the last 20 minutes. Then stick around after 8 p.m to continue the conversation over drinks.
Earlier in the day on May 16, Bryan Hance of Bike Index, Brock Howell of Bicycle Security Advocates, and the Seattle Police Department will make a special briefing to the Seattle City Council Sustainability & Transportation Committee on bike theft and indexing.
Would your organization/
business like to also co-sponsor by telling your e-newsletter list or social media followers about the event? Email us at [email protected]. RSVP not required but very appreciated.
Comments
9 responses to “Panel of experts will discuss solutions to bike theft”
How about teach people how to properly lock a bicycle? It’s not hard to quick-release the front wheel and send a u-lock through both wheels inside the rear triangle (no need to lock around the frame). Or don’t want to pop off a wheel? Bring a cable to use in conjunction with the u-lock. Or ride a bike with a cheap front wheel that does not have a quick release.
Now seats are a little trickier. In the past I’ve had a thin cable girth-hitched through the saddle rails with a loop that can go through the u-lock. A thief could use bolt cutters to get through it, but it prevents the opportunity crime of just using the seat lever. But I ride an old cheap saddle and don’t bother nowadays.
Actually, re the seat quick release I found that using the quick release repeatedly made the seat not “stick” in preferred position so I just made it a bit more un-quick friendly and put a standard bolt through it and ditched the quick release.
https://project529.com/garage I’ve registered my bike on this site, perhaps it may make sense to adopt this, work closely with SPD on this & socialize this more within the bicycling community?
I have not tried to lock my bike up in downtown for years. I had just put a lot of money into my bike and parked downtown for a few hours and the lock was clipped off. Yes maybe I should have had a better lock system but now I’m just bitter and prefer to walk. The other thing was that people would always steal my headlights and other accessories. Bike shares make sense in urban areas to alleviate fears for urban trips.
Don’t elect mayors and town councils who create policies which attract masses of homeless who have no way to fund their drug habit but to steal. That’s one major factor. We’ve had druggies repeatedly break into our condo building’s garage to even steal from our garage. Property crime has skyrocketed thanks to these policies.
Unfortunately, bike theft in Seattle is not as simple as blaming it on one population. I’m not sure what you think attracts homeless people to Seattle. Yes, we have a lot of resources, but they are still completely inadequate in meeting people’s needs here. People experiencing homelessness have a much better chance at being accepted into a shelter or other services if they go to a city with less demand and a much lower cost of living. If anything, many people who cannot afford housing here often leave for other regions and cities.
Also, every social class and income level use drugs at virtually the same rate. To insinuate that homeless people are just thieving druggies is simply not true. Most people in Seattle are homeless as a result of the high cost of living, not drugs.
There was legislation proposed in San Francisco last winter to ban bike chop shops on streets and public property. Anybody know what happened to there? Not having piles of bikes around homeless encampments would be useful.
When I bike to downtown I tend to lock my bike to the employee bike racks within the parking garages of the bigger buildings. Out of sight form the street, frequented by other cyclists. Some buildings have locked cages which doesn’t help the casual visitor, but most buildings just have solid racks, often within sight of the garage attendant.
I have a bike lock that is permanently installed on the bike (www.securequickstop.com) that disables the steering when it is unlocked. It won’t stop a professional theft but most theft is casual and it WILL stop that. Also no kind of lock will stop a professional theft with bolt cutters. Really works well for me.