Cyclist shot at cradle...

[gerrit_c]

A quick summary of last night meeting. 

I was late 10 mins so am not sure what exactly happened there.

When I arrived, Trevor Roberts (?) from Conserv Security, who I think organised the meeting,

was giving a debrief of the incident.

 

- ca. 100 - 150 peple have been present. I would guess about 75% residents of the area, then a handful of police member and other security companies, and a bunch of cyclists who don't live in the area.

 

- the plan he then introduced is to make the area safer in general, for residents, tourists, cyclists / runners / visitors.

 

- short term they want to put a dedicated car that is going to be branded as such on the road. He is talking to other security companies to do the same, hoping it will be 3 cars. Also they are requesting more visibility and patrols from SAPS, however he mentioned that it is difficult for them to coordinate as it concerns different areas / precincts, but they seem to be working on solutions.

They want to put up signage with emergency numbers and print flyers with information on routes, safety etc. and want to set up WhatsApp Groups, also coordinate response teams better (They seem to be organised very well though already in that regard).

 

- The funds for the extra patrol cars have to come from somewhere, so money is as always an issue. There have been a few ideas and I think it should be something that can be handled if the right people talk to each other. One fellow cyclist mentioned that cyclists are willing to pay, so I think we have to prove him right and not run away from it.

 

- mid term there is a plan to install LPR cameras (Licence plate recognition) at the entry junctions (they didn't really specify) that are monitored by their control room and connected to SAPS. This seems to be work in progress.

 

- Some concerns have been raised by the audience, that the response is one thing, prevention another, and that 3 cars and LPR cameras are not going to make an area big as the cradle really safe. 

 

- one guy in uniform - honestly IDK where he was from - brought up that it is a) important to use the momentum now after the incident to mobilise funds and awareness, and b) that the long term goal and only real solution would be to boom off the area. He it seemed everyone in the room agreed to that.

 

- one other concern was that it isn't really good if a private security firm organises all of that (and handles the funds) - that seems to be sorted though as there seems to a NPO that would handle all that (the "Cradle Association" if I remember correctly?)

 

Summing up, I think there are good people doing good work and having a realistic idea of what would be needed. They are all aware that it is important to improve the situation, prevention and response.

 

I didn't do minutes so this isn't complete, so if anyone else was there, please add if I forgot anything important. 

 

Oh. One thing was mentioned in regards to cyclists and clubs is that there have been meeting with club reps or so before, and that they have not really been fruitful.

 

I would at this point suggest that we as cyclists in JHB organise us in a way that represents ALL and not only clubs with very specific views / needs. 

[Chris_]

to require that bicycle manufacturers embed a metal tag with the serial number of the bicycle in the frame 

 

It is a good idea. 

 

How well though did that micro-dot tech work with reducing car thefts? similar theory right. I was trying to think of what has worked with (violent) car jackings to possibly take over to cycling, where the violence is now front of mind. 

[Grogs]

...

 

Oh. One thing was mentioned in regards to cyclists and clubs is that there have been meeting with club reps or so before, and that they have not really been fruitful.

 

I would at this point suggest that we as cyclists in JHB organise us in a way that represents ALL and not only clubs with very specific views / needs. 

 

OK - question is, what ARE we going to do (apart from reading the forum and b$%$hing and moaning)?

 

One suggestion: speak to your club and tell them to make the meetings referred to above more fruitful.

 

Where there any cycling clubs at last night's meeting?

 

I would also like to have attended, but was unable.

[MudLark]

It is a good idea. 

 

How well though did that micro-dot tech work with reducing car thefts? similar theory right. I was trying to think of what has worked with (violent) car jackings to possibly take over to cycling, where the violence is now front of mind. 

 

Microdots works very, very well. In fact I was looking at the SABS standard just a day or two ago. And they're cheap and you can apply them yourself. How about we set up a database so that people who want to can microdot their bicycles (I will explain how – you buy the kit and then you start to put the stuff inside the frame and in various places where it cannot be easily removed). Then you log your bicycle together with its microdot number and its OEM serial number on the database; alternatively do that once it gets stolen. Or something like that. May not be perfect but it should certainly help and act as a deterrent in the long run.

[gerrit_c]

OK - question is, what ARE we going to do (apart from reading the forum and b$%$hing and moaning)?

 

One suggestion: speak to your club and tell them to make the meetings referred to above more fruitful.

 

Where there any cycling clubs at last night's meeting?

 

I would also like to have attended, but was unable.

 

I am not sure if any club rep was there.

 

We have to form a structure / organisation for it, if there isn't such a thing here in 

JHB or GP. I am fairly new here so maybe others can let us know if there is anything like that? I would be down to join / help organise. 

[madbradd]

Microdots works very, very well. In fact I was looking at the SABS standard just a day or two ago. And they're cheap and you can apply them yourself. How about we set up a database so that people who want to can microdot their bicycles (I will explain how – you buy the kit and then you start to put the stuff inside the frame and in various places where it cannot be easily removed). Then you log your bicycle together with its microdot number and its OEM serial number on the database; alternatively do that once it gets stolen. Or something like that. May not be perfect but it should certainly help and act as a deterrent in the long run.

 

I imagine they would need to be applied to the BB Shell and Head Tube (inside each of these and applied such that they don't interfere with the mechanics). Potentially also in the crank spindle and fork steerer tube where possible.

 

Question 1: Now that it's micro-dotted and logged on a database that tracks the legitimate owner so that a seller can verify a legitimate sale, how do I (as a potential buyer) read the dots?

 

Question 2: Could bike shops get involved so that every bike that comes through for servicing gets scanned and verified as not stolen?

[Cava]

I imagine they would need to be applied to the BB Shell and Head Tube (inside each of these and applied such that they don't interfere with the mechanics). Potentially also in the crank spindle and fork steerer tube where possible.

 

Question 1: Now that it's micro-dotted and logged on a database that tracks the legitimate owner so that a seller can verify a legitimate sale, how do I (as a potential buyer) read the dots?

 

Question 2: Could bike shops get involved so that every bike that comes through for servicing gets scanned and verified as not stolen?

 

Maybe something like this that they have in the UK:

 

https://www.bikeregister.com/

[MudLark]

I imagine they would need to be applied to the BB Shell and Head Tube (inside each of these and applied such that they don't interfere with the mechanics). Potentially also in the crank spindle and fork steerer tube where possible.

 

Question 1: Now that it's micro-dotted and logged on a database that tracks the legitimate owner so that a seller can verify a legitimate sale, how do I (as a potential buyer) read the dots?

 

Question 2: Could bike shops get involved so that every bike that comes through for servicing gets scanned and verified as not stolen?

 

What you have to do to read the dots as you actually have to scrape one out of the interior of the bike and then you read it under little handheld microscope which you purchase simultaneously from the supplier of the dots – it's not expensive exercise. I think the microscope is about ZAR 100 or ZAR 150 or something like that. It works surprisingly well.

 

As to your second question, it might be a better idea to introduce RFID tags or something like that into the bikes as well. Not sure on that one – don't know enough about the technology.

[MudLark]

Maybe something like this that they have in the UK:

 

https://www.bikeregister.com/

 

This is great! I particularly like the covert kit. I wonder if it is feasible to bring the technology over here and create our own register?

[Eldron]

Years ago I heard a cool idea - write a note saying "This bike is stolen contact xxxxx" then tape it to the fork steerer when you build your bike. Hopefully if stolen it will end up at a bike shop and be recovered. A long shot but a decent time investment/gamble.

[Ozzie NL]

I am not sure if any club rep was there.

 

We have to form a structure / organisation for it, if there isn't such a thing here in 

JHB or GP. I am fairly new here so maybe others can let us know if there is anything like that? I would be down to join / help organise. 

Would think Cyclelab is by far the biggest club in the cradle so maybe some members can take it up internally there?

They can provide critical mass and then other (smaller?) clubs like Club 100 and Cresta Wheelers can jump on board as well?

[madbradd]

Maybe something like this that they have in the UK:

 

https://www.bikeregister.com/

 

This is nice. I like the multiple options, and I like the QR code - very easy to use and can be placed in covert places like under handlebar tape / steerer tube / fork crown, as well as visible places like seat tube / down tube / BB shell.

[Maaknplan]

LPR cameras are a good idea.

There are plenty here in Cape Town and security companies can track vehicles easily.

A friend of mine is involved with the software, the first time he showed me it blew my socks off.

All he did was input my registration and he was able to show me photos of me driving my car practically everywhere.

You just need one video shot of the perps vehicle and you can track its movements.

[gerrit_c]

LPR cameras are a good idea.

There are plenty here in Cape Town and security companies can track vehicles easily.

A friend of mine is involved with the software, the first time he showed me it blew my socks off.

All he did was input my registration and he was able to show me photos of me driving my car practically everywhere.

You just need one video shot of the perps vehicle and you can track its movements.

 

yeah I agree that it is a great idea and I also think it will help. What happens though if a car or number plates have been stolen or are fake, does that automatically trigger an alarm?

[Slowbee]

Years ago I heard a cool idea - write a note saying "This bike is stolen contact xxxxx" then tape it to the fork steerer when you build your bike. Hopefully if stolen it will end up at a bike shop and be recovered. A long shot but a decent time investment/gamble.

*humour on*

 

But then they will have your number and sell it on and your phone will be spammed by insurance companies for like eva !

[scubes]

Okay point taken. I should have said Cape Town is the 15th most violent city in the world. Doesn't reassure me much however at all. 

 

Do have a look at this however-

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/best-and-worst/#most-stressed-out-countries

 

South Africa is the 2nd most STRESSED country in the world (2nd only to Nigeria). This is based on the homicide rate, gdp per capita, income inequality, corruption score, unemployment rate, pollution, and life expetancy. This is a good indicator yeah? 

 

 

Some perspective for you...

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/most-dangerous-cities-in-the-world.html