Quote:
Originally Posted by omk3
Within one month of buying our brand-new bicycles, and before we had time to even really get them dirty, one of them got stolen. They were chained to each other and to an unmovable iron bar in an underground garage supervised by cctv. It turns out the image quality of the cctv was such as to show that it was beings of a human form that did it, but nothing more. Good to know it was not a family of otters that took the bicycle, but not much help otherwise. The police couldn't do much except be kind and understanding. The remaining bicycle had some little components missing too, and I lovingly took it inside the flat (not allowed but I didn't care) and had it staring at me for another month before I found the willpower to fix it and lock it outside again. I felt violated, vulnerable and disappointed. Then I got over it.
I had it secured with three different chains, and checked daily. Frame, front wheel, back wheel, seat, everything that could be removed was locked. After a few blissfully uneventful months I felt safer. And today I went to take it for a ride, spent the whole two minutes it takes to unlock all chains, and then found out that the handlebar came right off, and couldn't steer the bicycle at all. Some really minor components were missing from the handlebar, of which I don't even know the names. Nothing more. A total 8 pounds cost. Probably were trying to steal the fork, the repair guy told me.
And now I'm feeling vulnerable again. And angry. I mean what is it with these people? I had to cancel an appointment because of all that, and a nice ride, and spend the rest of the day looking at everyone I come across as a potential bicycle thief. And constantly worry about what will be missing next the next time I will check on it...
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Wow, that just sucks. At least you've got a very good argument for keeping your bike in your apartment (though I imagine room might be an issue, going from you putting it back out again?). If they insist on you putting your bikes in the basement, then you can insist they provide adequate surveillance, I reckon.
Cheers,
Marc