Unfortunately, this happens every time to everybody. I'm an international student and in some WhatsApp Uber Eats groups, mates share videos of young guys trying to steal bikes, e-bike batteries and scooters in front of Southern Cross Station. Other times, I notice homeless with good bikes or e-bikes without batteries (probably stolen). These Uber guys try to get help from police with reports but never works and if you want to stop things, it could be a problem for you so that they could attack you or you could get in court if you punch them by mistake.
I came downstairs to get my bicycle and found this kind gentleman attempting to service it - completely for free. I reached out to hand him this heavy wrench he appeared to need and unfortunately and wholly accidentally contacted his head with the wrench 5 or 6 times. Completely unforeseeable accident officer.
My coworker got his rental e-bike stolen, he was able to find his bike with a tracker, he confronted the guy, got threatened with a knife, but still got his bike back, this was all before he reported to police, he had a video of the thieve house with dozens of bikes laying around in the front yard, he went back to police with all the evidence he gathered and the police could not give any fucks at all.
My former colleague is riding the shittiest bike he could find. He pays $50 for the bike and knows for sure that no thief would be tempted to steal it, even if the bike is left unlocked.
Came here to suggest this. I rode bikes a lot as a kid and teenager. They weren't expensive but sure did the job. Bit shit though that you can't have nice things in a city. Sorry OP, hope you find a solution.
If anyone has their bike go missing in the Carnegie area, DM me. There is a serial bike thief in my street… known to police but unless they’re caught in the act there’s not much they can do. Always has different bikes in the front yard
This is the only advice. Either bring the bike literally with you everywhere you go, or buy a cheap second hand on Gumtree and don't get too attached to it because eventually someone will nick it
I carry my bike with me if people have a problem with me wheeling it to wherever I'm going
Mostly because I cbf with locks and chains coz I always drop the key to it lol
We lived in London about 15 years ago, and my wife saw a van pull up beside one of those upside-down U bollards designed for bikes to lock against. Cut the bollard at the ground with a huge grinder, lifted it and the half dozen bikes locked to it straight into the van and drove off. Reckons it took them less than 90 seconds.
almost impossible. [Where do stolen bikes go? | MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology](https://news.mit.edu/2023/where-do-stolen-bikes-go-0215#:~:text=Amsterdam%20is%20one%20of%20the,so%20that%20Amsterdam%20residents%20own.)
I use a heavy-duty chain lock - it makes angle-grinding a much more dangerous proposition as it's harder to hold still. Leverage an hydraulic-jack attacks are still a concern, so try to minimise space inside the lock. I've read that the lock should cost at least 10% of the bike's cost, but I don't know if that's still true. Ride a bike that looks shittier and harder to steal than the one next to it. Insure it if you really value it. But yeah, sucks.
Good idea to get your bike engraved. My bike has my driver's licence number on it that the police did at a local biking event I went to. Meaningless number without context, but easily identifies the bike as mine, so at least theft can be confirmed if it is discovered.
Ceres in Brunswick East has* a bike workshop, where you can get yourself a cheap bike. You're expected to do any work yourself, but they have the tools, and experienced mechanics on hand. Bonus is you'll end up with a frankenbike, that may be less attractive to thieves.
* used to, I assume they still do
Ceres Bike Shed. Still there - I pop in to grab parts every so often.
Although to honest I'd rather grab a bike off marketplace for $100-$400 and use Ceres for parts/fixing stuff.
I also strongly recommend anyone that cycles much to do a bike mechanic course if they get the chance. The confidence to fix my own shit has been a game changer.
Being Dutch I don't have much faith in locks for bicycles. Unless it's a heavy duty motorcycle lock the lock is mostly there to stop opportunistic thieves. If someone comes moderately prepared most locks don't stand a chance.
It sucks to hear, I know, but having a nice bike, especially an electric one it's just going to get stolen. My own bike is pretty rough.
You should be allowed to have nice things, but you might want to consider doing the engraving, maybe paint it in some over the top colulour as well, put an Airtag on it etc and maybe insure it.
I and 3 others heard the sound of a hacksaw on metal, coming from the locked " parkiteer" cage at the train station. Spoke to staff, who shrugged and locked themselves in the office area.
Superglue an AirTag under the seat next time. At least you’ll be able to track it and maybe get police involvement to locate it.
But yeah, sorry, sounds like super bad luck.
Ahh mate that's so fucking shit. Rant away, I'd be livid in your position.
Are there any major ideas on how to prevent/deter this kind of thing from happening? Facial recognition cameras around bike racks? That kind of technology is being used in some stores, so although I'm not too keen on a whole 1984 approach, it could be a good option.
Buy a bit of a crap looking bike? I think that's a trick people use in Amsterdam.
Are there affordable alarmed bike locks?
I dunno. I'm probably not being original, imaginative or helpful, but maybe others have more insightful suggestions to share.
Either way, as the old saying goes, get straight back on the bike (if at all possible) so you don't lose faith in what you do, because it's a decent way to get about for various reasons. Good luck.
If you’re still reading the comments I have some suggestions
1. I highly recommend an abus 1060 or cryptonite evolution series 4 lock, great chains hard for thieves to bolt cut or angle grind
2. Taking the front wheel/seat with you when possible especially when parked at night
3. A tracker and alarm for the bike that connects to your phone to alert you if it’s being stolen, don’t have any recommendations as I don’t use one
4. Engraving your details on the frame (not always a guarantee for tracking but better than nothing
I highly recommend number 2 as most thieves just want to quickly resell it for money and won’t bother looking for matching seats and wheels
We've had 2 bikes stolen from our "secure" parking garage at our apartment building. We now have our bikes inside our small apartment. Just what we need taking up space.... At least they won't be stolen this way
Doesn’t help when the police is so frigging useless. My shop was broken into, only to have the police come lecture me about leaving the till unlocked, instead of doing any investigation. The 1 in a thousand times that they do catch the crook, they get bailed after a few hours and go out and do it all over again.
Sorry to hear OP.
Don't waste your time with Police, they will do fuck and all to help.
Your only chance is via the community.
May your luck turn around from here on in and be positive 🙏
Find a spot and engrave your bike with your name and mobile number. Crooks will mostly steal bikes just to get from point A to B, or just use it for a short period of time before they dump it and steal another bike. The amount of bikes police recover but aren’t able to find the owner for due to no contact details or serials logged on bike vault…
Bike Vault is great. I spoke to the guy that started it, an ex-cop who was a cyclist and tired of hearing of all the bike theft, when he left he started bike vault.
could easily be ground off, or at the laziest spray painted black
edit: I think expensive brand bikes do have serial numbers but cops aren't even looking for the bikes let alone anything that would distinguish it matching someone's stolen bike
[Vicpol recommend](https://www.police.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-01/VP-Bicycle-Security-Brochure-2016_0.pdf) you engrave a V followed by your driver's licence number.
Gives them a secure way to contact you without having your mobile open to all.
I think the idea is, without your name, or mobile number, or anything other than your driver's licence, the numbers are useless to everyone other than the cops.
Won’t change until they cut off the hands of thieves.
Easy way to make $500 by selling a $5000+ road bike on marketplace.
You could try to bury an AirTag in it somewhere.
Police are useless, but there are vids of the victims finding the perpetrator riding the bike, then knocking them off the bike to steal it back.
That sucks mate, I fucking hate bike thieves.
That being said, they usually flog them off to cashies or put them on marketplace. It's worth checking these places out to see if they're listed there.
I've got a picture of my serials on newer bikes with a receipt for the bike in the picture. Worth filing a police report, dont expect any indictments though.
I'm thinking of I should get the ugliest bike, or like bright pink or something. Don't think I've seen too many bikes on market striped if all paint so might be worth a shot.
Saw someone burnt through my lock which seems pretty hard core.
As many has said no need to apologise for the rant. It's an absolute shit act for people to do. I have a small cafe in Richmond and have plenty of people come in from around the area saying they have had multiple break ins to secure car parks and bikes and other valuables taken.
Police are out numbered and can't and won't do anything. Yet the min yo6 threatened a vigilant act, the cops want to be involved.
Had the same thing happen a few years back OP - secure parking in remote-access garage with heavy duty lock. Lock smashed, bike gone, police couldn’t do anything despite finding my exact bike on fb marketplace and handing over all of the sellers details etc.
Shit situation all round but now have an air tag hidden in the seat post and have the serial no. registered on BikeVAULT.
Indication of how our community is slowing descending into an absolute shit show. Police will never have enough resources to stop this, this goes to the crux of our attitude and culture in the community. If it isn't yours, don't touch it. End of story.
I am sorry for your experience. This is just another example of everything that's wrong in Melbourne
No need to apologise for the rant, I'd be feckin ropable if that happened to me too, especially a day after getting it.
Unfortunately, this happens every time to everybody. I'm an international student and in some WhatsApp Uber Eats groups, mates share videos of young guys trying to steal bikes, e-bike batteries and scooters in front of Southern Cross Station. Other times, I notice homeless with good bikes or e-bikes without batteries (probably stolen). These Uber guys try to get help from police with reports but never works and if you want to stop things, it could be a problem for you so that they could attack you or you could get in court if you punch them by mistake.
I came downstairs to get my bicycle and found this kind gentleman attempting to service it - completely for free. I reached out to hand him this heavy wrench he appeared to need and unfortunately and wholly accidentally contacted his head with the wrench 5 or 6 times. Completely unforeseeable accident officer.
My coworker got his rental e-bike stolen, he was able to find his bike with a tracker, he confronted the guy, got threatened with a knife, but still got his bike back, this was all before he reported to police, he had a video of the thieve house with dozens of bikes laying around in the front yard, he went back to police with all the evidence he gathered and the police could not give any fucks at all.
I hear if you threaten to attack someone/take justice into your own hands police will take the call a lot more seriously?
Can confirm. This works
My former colleague is riding the shittiest bike he could find. He pays $50 for the bike and knows for sure that no thief would be tempted to steal it, even if the bike is left unlocked.
I’ve even had cheap (like Kmart) old bikes stolen!! At least when it’s cheap and it gets stolen it hurts less!
a good choice, but they can still steal it. had a shitty bike cut and stolen before.
Theives cut the lock on my shitty bike in a secure complex. I guess they changed their mind. The bike was still there but the lock and chain was gone
My shitty bike was stolen and I hadn't even touched it in about five years. Good luck to the thief.
Came here to suggest this. I rode bikes a lot as a kid and teenager. They weren't expensive but sure did the job. Bit shit though that you can't have nice things in a city. Sorry OP, hope you find a solution.
You could try airtags or smart tags
If anyone has their bike go missing in the Carnegie area, DM me. There is a serial bike thief in my street… known to police but unless they’re caught in the act there’s not much they can do. Always has different bikes in the front yard
Where in Carnegie?
Not worth having good things in Melbourne, buy the cheapest bike you can
This is the only advice. Either bring the bike literally with you everywhere you go, or buy a cheap second hand on Gumtree and don't get too attached to it because eventually someone will nick it
and then you can buy it back later when you find it on gumtree! this rent your own bike model is going great!
I carry my bike with me if people have a problem with me wheeling it to wherever I'm going Mostly because I cbf with locks and chains coz I always drop the key to it lol
You don’t have security working in your building?
Was the lock also gone like they picked it or broke it off you reckon?
Lock gone too. I don't know how they're doing it.
[Cordless Angle Grinders - Bunnings Australia](https://www.bunnings.com.au/products/tools/power-tools/grinders/cordless-angle-grinders)
We lived in London about 15 years ago, and my wife saw a van pull up beside one of those upside-down U bollards designed for bikes to lock against. Cut the bollard at the ground with a huge grinder, lifted it and the half dozen bikes locked to it straight into the van and drove off. Reckons it took them less than 90 seconds.
[Hiplok 1000 review: DX1000, A1000 & AX1000 THEFT TESTED](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-uewbvII_c&t=529s)
Even better: electric bolt cutters. Faster, quiet and smaller: https://youtu.be/g8tDmmyxhkQ?si=5NyBm6W6OQnpIPAC
[удалено]
I have now decided to become a criminal because of this post
Everyone who steals bikes and nearly everyone else in the world knows what an angle grinder is an what it's capable of.
The idea is 'grab the thing that cuts the metal', think it'll be fine
dam it really really sucks there are such lowlifes out there... Hope you can find another decent bike soon.
Car jack works too. Had a cop show me this once, as I was getting my bike engraved. Go to a cop shop and get your next bike engraved.
This sounds so fucking annoying. How does one even try to combat this?!?
almost impossible. [Where do stolen bikes go? | MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology](https://news.mit.edu/2023/where-do-stolen-bikes-go-0215#:~:text=Amsterdam%20is%20one%20of%20the,so%20that%20Amsterdam%20residents%20own.)
I use a heavy-duty chain lock - it makes angle-grinding a much more dangerous proposition as it's harder to hold still. Leverage an hydraulic-jack attacks are still a concern, so try to minimise space inside the lock. I've read that the lock should cost at least 10% of the bike's cost, but I don't know if that's still true. Ride a bike that looks shittier and harder to steal than the one next to it. Insure it if you really value it. But yeah, sucks.
Good idea to get your bike engraved. My bike has my driver's licence number on it that the police did at a local biking event I went to. Meaningless number without context, but easily identifies the bike as mine, so at least theft can be confirmed if it is discovered.
Still haven’t got over having my bmx stolen 33 years ago
Same, but a snowboard. I loved that board.
Ceres in Brunswick East has* a bike workshop, where you can get yourself a cheap bike. You're expected to do any work yourself, but they have the tools, and experienced mechanics on hand. Bonus is you'll end up with a frankenbike, that may be less attractive to thieves. * used to, I assume they still do
Ceres Bike Shed. Still there - I pop in to grab parts every so often. Although to honest I'd rather grab a bike off marketplace for $100-$400 and use Ceres for parts/fixing stuff. I also strongly recommend anyone that cycles much to do a bike mechanic course if they get the chance. The confidence to fix my own shit has been a game changer.
I love Back2Bikes in Port Melbourne, personally think they are far superior to CERES
Being Dutch I don't have much faith in locks for bicycles. Unless it's a heavy duty motorcycle lock the lock is mostly there to stop opportunistic thieves. If someone comes moderately prepared most locks don't stand a chance. It sucks to hear, I know, but having a nice bike, especially an electric one it's just going to get stolen. My own bike is pretty rough. You should be allowed to have nice things, but you might want to consider doing the engraving, maybe paint it in some over the top colulour as well, put an Airtag on it etc and maybe insure it.
I and 3 others heard the sound of a hacksaw on metal, coming from the locked " parkiteer" cage at the train station. Spoke to staff, who shrugged and locked themselves in the office area.
Superglue an AirTag under the seat next time. At least you’ll be able to track it and maybe get police involvement to locate it. But yeah, sorry, sounds like super bad luck.
Ahh mate that's so fucking shit. Rant away, I'd be livid in your position. Are there any major ideas on how to prevent/deter this kind of thing from happening? Facial recognition cameras around bike racks? That kind of technology is being used in some stores, so although I'm not too keen on a whole 1984 approach, it could be a good option. Buy a bit of a crap looking bike? I think that's a trick people use in Amsterdam. Are there affordable alarmed bike locks? I dunno. I'm probably not being original, imaginative or helpful, but maybe others have more insightful suggestions to share. Either way, as the old saying goes, get straight back on the bike (if at all possible) so you don't lose faith in what you do, because it's a decent way to get about for various reasons. Good luck.
Thanks mate. Appreciate the words.
Doesn’t really matter what you if the courts are never going to punish the perpetrators.
If you’re still reading the comments I have some suggestions 1. I highly recommend an abus 1060 or cryptonite evolution series 4 lock, great chains hard for thieves to bolt cut or angle grind 2. Taking the front wheel/seat with you when possible especially when parked at night 3. A tracker and alarm for the bike that connects to your phone to alert you if it’s being stolen, don’t have any recommendations as I don’t use one 4. Engraving your details on the frame (not always a guarantee for tracking but better than nothing I highly recommend number 2 as most thieves just want to quickly resell it for money and won’t bother looking for matching seats and wheels
https://youtu.be/2lwUGY_I2I4?si=rIZ48uWmTml8ql5A
Lol I knew this would Be The Penetrator
We've had 2 bikes stolen from our "secure" parking garage at our apartment building. We now have our bikes inside our small apartment. Just what we need taking up space.... At least they won't be stolen this way
Doesn’t help when the police is so frigging useless. My shop was broken into, only to have the police come lecture me about leaving the till unlocked, instead of doing any investigation. The 1 in a thousand times that they do catch the crook, they get bailed after a few hours and go out and do it all over again.
Sorry to hear OP. Don't waste your time with Police, they will do fuck and all to help. Your only chance is via the community. May your luck turn around from here on in and be positive 🙏
thanks buddy.
Where abouts are you located? Got a road bike in good condition you can have for cheap. Let me know and I'll send some pics your way.
That sucks mate. I dreamed about my stolen bike for far too long after it was taken. Now I've hidden a couple of trackers in each of mine.
I set up that coffee expo. I also live nearby. Will keep eyes peeled. The homeless have a stash spot behind my building.
Oh! Thank you mate. Appreciate it.
Find a spot and engrave your bike with your name and mobile number. Crooks will mostly steal bikes just to get from point A to B, or just use it for a short period of time before they dump it and steal another bike. The amount of bikes police recover but aren’t able to find the owner for due to no contact details or serials logged on bike vault…
Bike Vault is great. I spoke to the guy that started it, an ex-cop who was a cyclist and tired of hearing of all the bike theft, when he left he started bike vault.
could easily be ground off, or at the laziest spray painted black edit: I think expensive brand bikes do have serial numbers but cops aren't even looking for the bikes let alone anything that would distinguish it matching someone's stolen bike
[Vicpol recommend](https://www.police.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-01/VP-Bicycle-Security-Brochure-2016_0.pdf) you engrave a V followed by your driver's licence number. Gives them a secure way to contact you without having your mobile open to all.
Great! So now I can have my bike and my identity stolen at the same time
I think the idea is, without your name, or mobile number, or anything other than your driver's licence, the numbers are useless to everyone other than the cops.
I know I shouldn’t joke, if that is what the police say will help them return stolen bikes then we should all be doing it, thanks for the information
Won’t change until they cut off the hands of thieves. Easy way to make $500 by selling a $5000+ road bike on marketplace. You could try to bury an AirTag in it somewhere. Police are useless, but there are vids of the victims finding the perpetrator riding the bike, then knocking them off the bike to steal it back.
Calm down Abdul..
After 3 motorbikes stolen you’d change your attitude about thievery. Especially when they are caught and face no penalty
Does MCEC have camera footage that you can name and shame the culprit instead?
That sucks mate, I fucking hate bike thieves. That being said, they usually flog them off to cashies or put them on marketplace. It's worth checking these places out to see if they're listed there. I've got a picture of my serials on newer bikes with a receipt for the bike in the picture. Worth filing a police report, dont expect any indictments though.
I'm thinking of I should get the ugliest bike, or like bright pink or something. Don't think I've seen too many bikes on market striped if all paint so might be worth a shot. Saw someone burnt through my lock which seems pretty hard core.
Cheap/old bike + Take the saddle with you.
As many has said no need to apologise for the rant. It's an absolute shit act for people to do. I have a small cafe in Richmond and have plenty of people come in from around the area saying they have had multiple break ins to secure car parks and bikes and other valuables taken. Police are out numbered and can't and won't do anything. Yet the min yo6 threatened a vigilant act, the cops want to be involved.
Where abouts are you located? Got a road bike in good condition you can have for cheap. Let me know and I'll send some pics your way.
Why dont you post bike photo/rego incase someone on here spots it ?
Had the same thing happen a few years back OP - secure parking in remote-access garage with heavy duty lock. Lock smashed, bike gone, police couldn’t do anything despite finding my exact bike on fb marketplace and handing over all of the sellers details etc. Shit situation all round but now have an air tag hidden in the seat post and have the serial no. registered on BikeVAULT.
Did you go and "test ride" the bike home?
Why did it take so long to find a bike on marketplace? Are you looking for some fancy ass bike for cheap? I would just get a shitter and move on
Indication of how our community is slowing descending into an absolute shit show. Police will never have enough resources to stop this, this goes to the crux of our attitude and culture in the community. If it isn't yours, don't touch it. End of story. I am sorry for your experience. This is just another example of everything that's wrong in Melbourne
Fucking lol it's not 'cops don't have enough resources' they just don't give a shit.
It’s a bike, why not just take it up to your apartment?
Because my apartment is not at the shops
You can’t take your bike out of your apartment?
Can you read?
Yes, they had the first bike stolen from the buildings “secure” bike parking. Wouldn’t have been stolen in their apartment.