What I've learned from the Stolen Bikes page

[nickc]

almost every time someone joins this forum and thier first post is "my bike was stolen " then it says "off my Thule Bike rack that was locked "

 

make it your business to tell everyone you know who says they want to start cycling that car bike racks are never secure .

 

they are an invitation to thieves  

 

Lately, especially when doing races far away I now take off the wheels, put them in wheel bags and then in the boot and then put the bike on the back seat. A bit of a hassle - especially it its dirty but I feel a great deal more relaxed about whats happening with my bike.

[gummibear]

almost every time someone joins this forum and thier first post is "my bike was stolen " then it says "off my Thule Bike rack that was locked "

 

It was on the back of my bakkie is also quite popular.

[bikebloke]

It was on the back of my bakkie is also quite popular.

 

yeah but those guys are morons so they dont count  

[DirtyDan]

I had my bloody Thule platform RACK stolen. Luckily bicycles weren't on at the time....
They unscrewed the goose neck from the tow bar plate.

[Donovan Le Cok]

Nice simple list to follow of good tips. Thanks.

[Chingy182]

almost every time someone joins this forum and thier first post is "my bike was stolen " then it says "off my Thule Bike rack that was locked underground parking while I ran in to shop at the Woolies"

 

[Edereese]

I've changed from the 598 proride to the 561 outride. If the do get the fork out of the rack, atleast I get to keep the front wheel  and it feels good knowing that they don't get to ride it away... unless they bring their own wheel. 

[Dirkitech]

Lately, especially when doing races far away I now take off the wheels, put them in wheel bags and then in the boot and then put the bike on the back seat. A bit of a hassle - especially it its dirty but I feel a great deal more relaxed about whats happening with my bike.

That is everyday life for a small city car owner!

[ChrisF]

almost every time someone joins this forum and thier first post is "my bike was stolen " then it says "off my Thule Bike rack that was locked "

 

make it your business to tell everyone you know who says they want to start cycling that car bike racks are never secure .

 

they are an invitation to thieves  

 

 

Are you trying to tell me that my European designed rack is not Africa proof

[Eugene]

The best protection you can have against bike theft is insurance.

[bikebloke]

The best protection you can have against bike theft is insurance.

 not sure how that works but good for you  

 

 

where exactly do you leave your unlocked bikes that are protected only by bike insurance ................  

[ChrisF]

 not sure how that works but good for you  

 

 

where exactly do you leave your unlocked bikes that are protected only by bike insurance ................  

 

On the "locked Thule" ....   

[urbanroyal]

Bikes in the garage or house is not safe...lock it down..????

[Bonus]

Bike racks are for transporting bikes, not for securing bikes. (Aside from securing them so they don't just fall off)

Never leave your bike anywhere where you can't see it. (And get to it in seconds should the worst happen)

Thieves don't always look like thieves. Some thieves look just like cyclists - especially at races and bike parks.

Whether you have your bike with you or not, it's a good idea to get into the practice of never getting yourself "boxed in" at red traffic lights. Allow yourself some wriggle room.

I'm happy to say that where we are here in Spain, bike theft is non existent (I know it's different in the cities of course) but I still behave exactly as I did in SA. Never leave my bike outside a shop or pub etc etc.

[Dirt Tracker]

almost every time someone joins this forum and thier first post is "my bike was stolen " then it says "off my Thule Bike rack that was locked "

 

make it your business to tell everyone you know who says they want to start cycling that car bike racks are never secure .

 

they are an invitation to thieves  

 

Stupid question but when they say this do they mean the bikes were taken off the rack and they were locked on the rack or the rack was taken off the cat with the bikes on it and the rack was locked?

[DirtyDan]

Stupid question but when they say this do they mean the bikes were taken off the rack and they were locked on the rack or the rack was taken off the cat with the bikes on it and the rack was locked?

The bikes are broken free from the rack and the rack is left behind, most of the time. Securing cable locks are cut and I'm not sure how they get through the Thule locking arms?

 

I suppose there have been some cases of making off with the entire bike and rack combination?