Candi Murray

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Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2002 10:33:02 -0800

From: "Bruce Werner" <Bruce_-@pgn.com>

To: <cmur-@teleport.com>

Subject: Video of Bike Accessory Theft & Safety Tip



Candy,



I'm wondering if there is some connection between recent bike accessory

thefts in the downtown area and people who are reporting stolen bikes on

the OBRA e-mail list. If you think this is appropriate please post to the list.



- BIKE ACCESSORY THEFTS AND RELATED SAFETY TIP-



There have recently been thefts of miscellaneous bike accessories and

parts from bikes parked at racks in the area of SW 1st and Salmon in

downtown Portland. These have included a bike light battery, and bike

headlight (taken from separate bikes), a kryptonite cable left unlocked,

and a rear quick release skewer. The skewer theft is particularly

dangerous because on the commute home the person was lucky not to be

seriously injured when they stopped abruptly due to the rear wheel

pivoting in the frame without the skewer.



SAFETY TIP - Always do a bike safety check- particularly skewers - before

riding from a location where theft is possible, it could save you from

serious injury.



When the bike headlight was stolen the thief was video taped on

surveillance cameras taking the light off the bike and entering and

exiting a parking garage elevator. The person appears to be male, about

5'10'' tall, wore a white short billed cycling cap, rode a green mountain

bike with a suspension fork and a suspension fork fender. Building

security staff traced his path through the garage which gave the

impression he was on a route to scout racks in the area for items to

steal. This person appears to have specific parts in mind, who knows if

they are scouting other locations and stealing bikes as well? The video

can't be reproduced as a photo but might help someone for ID purposes.



Although not in the category of losing a bike these thefts are not

insignificant, attempting to ride home in the dark without a light or with

a missing skewer could be fatal. - BW