In fact, the company has a massive bike theft problem . And we mean massive: Between 100 and 250 so-called Gbikes disappear from the Googleplex every single week. The culprits, though, generally aren’t opportunistic bike thieves looking to resell the bikes or strip them of parts.
What type of bikes get stolen most?
As far as brands taken, there’s little surprise to see two of the so-called ‘big three’ in Bikmo’s most stolen – Giant and Specialized . A second bicycle insurer corroborates the finding; PedalSure also name the two brands as their most wanted by thieves.
What happened to Google bikes?
Google maintains roughly 1,100 free, multicolored two-wheelers, known as Gbikes, for its employees to get around on its sprawling campus here. The program has inspired copycats across Silicon Valley and beyond. But Google’s bikes consistently go missing from its campus —between 100 and 250 a week, the company estimates.
Can someone steal my bike?
If you secure your bike in a communal bike shed, and you didn’t lock it up, make sure that someone hasn’t simply moved it. If you’ve had a look around the area you secured your bike and can’t find it, then the chances are someone’s probably stolen it.
Why do people steal bikes?
Acquisitive: These thieves steal bicycles for financial gain and usually trade them for cash or goods. The bikes may also be sold in pieces for drugs or money.
Do cheap bikes get stolen?
Any bike , cheap, expensive or otherwise will get pinched if the owner has given a thief half a chance .
What do people do after they steal a bike?
- Alert social media.
- List your bike as stolen.
- Report the theft to the police.
- File an insurance claim.
- Report it to Kryptonite or OnGuard.
- Check ebay, Gumtree, craigslist. How to set up alerts. ...
- Check the flea markets and pawn shops!
- Let your local bike shops know.
How likely is my bike to get stolen?
In fact, according to the organization’s data, only one in five bikes are ever reported as stolen , less than 20 percent of bike owners even know their bike’s serial number, and only 1 percent of bike owners ever register their bikes with some kind of registry, like 529 Garage.
Where do stolen bikes go?
Normally, once you had stolen the bike, you rang a contact who’d come and pick it up . “I usually sold it in-person to a friend, but sometimes I’d sell it on Gumtree or eBay. Bikes are normally stripped down and rebuilt or sprayed within a few hours.
How do I get my stolen bike back?
The process to file a claim in case your two wheeler is stolen is listed below: File an FIR (First Information Report) at the nearest police station . This is to be done as soon as you realise the two wheeler has been stolen. Inform the insurance company- the insurance company is to be informed as early as possible.
Are bike thieves common?
Bicycle theft in the U.S. Bicycle theft is an unfortunate occurrence and an increasing trend these past few years, and cyclists from the United States are no exception . According to the latest FBI Uniform Crime Report, from 2007 to 2011, bicycle theft in the United States rose (on average) 14% each year.
Why are bikes so easy to steal?
Steering locks, alarm systems, and key fobs are, in most cases, the best a motorcycle manufacturer can do. The rest is up to you. In addition, motorcycles are simply physically easier to steal than cars . Two wheels are easier to move than four; there’s no need to break windows or come up with elaborate lock picks.
How do bike thieves break locks?
A pair of hand held cable cutters will snip through most cable locks in seconds . Cheap, inconspicuous and easy to carry around in a coat pocket, this is the tool that’s most commonly used by bike thieves. And it’s worth repeating again: they will cut through nearly all cable locks in seconds.
What bikes are stolen?
| London | 1 Specialized 27.6% | 2 Trek 17.3% | 3 Giant 11.5% | 4 Carrera 8.4% |
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Why are bikes stolen so much?
Bike theft is so common (and so hard to stop) for three main reasons: there’s minimal risk, few defences, and lucrative rewards . We already know that just 5% of stolen bikes are returned to their owners.
How do you break a Kryptonite D lock?
Hold the angle grinder in both hands and slowly press the blade against one of the U-shaped sides of the Kryptonite U lock. Press the blade against the U-side locks until the blade cuts through. It could take anything between 15 seconds to several minutes to complete this task.
Can bolt cutters cut U lock?
Bolt cutters will easily cut through cable locks , but it’s worth using a cable extension to deter chancers! So if you want your bike lock to put up a fight against bolt cutters, get one made with hardened steel, and get the thickest possible option.
Is there a bike lock that Cannot be cut?
Is There a Bike Lock That Can’t Be Cut? The Altor SAF and the Skunklock are the two most uncuttable bike locks on the market . Both of these locks employ anti-cut features that make them capable of defeating power tools. These two locks are the strongest and most unbreakable bike locks on the market.
How can I hide my bike?
Electrical tape or old innertube wrapped around the frame tubes to cover logos makes the bike look tatty and is a good bike theft deterrent. A great way to prevent your best bike being stolen is to leave that at home and commute on something cheaper: a ‘hack bike’.
How can I check if my bike is stolen?
Check the serial number
The serial number can be checked within databases like Bike Index or Bike Register, so if the bike has been registered as stolen you can then take steps to involve the police. If the serial number has been filed off or covered in any way, this is also a sure sign that the bike was stolen.
How do thieves steal motorcycles?
How do thieves steal motorcycles? Sometimes it’s as easy as throwing a leg over and riding away . The thief walks up to your bike, disables anti-theft devices and locks, jump starts the engine and hits the road with your bike. It just takes one person who can get dropped off or take a bus to get within walking distance.
