Click here to read the kind of blog post no one at Metro wants to read: it’s a first-person account by one of our passengers who last Wednesday literally watched someone steal his $1,300 road bike from the front of a Metro bus in Hollywood.
Although bike theft from the Metro system is rare, it happens. And let’s face it: Bike theft in general is a problem that has long vexed cyclists and law enforcement.
That’s the reason that Metro made the above video. You may have also encountered the cards below on a Metro bus in recent weeks. The bike section of metro.net also has plenty of tips about taking bikes on buses and trains.
The key is to reduce the chance of a bike being stolen — even the writer of the blog post admits he could have done a few things differently. We definitely hope that Johnny gets his bike back and a few simple tips will thwart future thieves.
Categories: Bicycle
Folding bikes are also an option, which can be carried on and also eliminates the issue of when the bike rack gets full (which is happening increasingly on the popular routes, especially during peak).
@ElijahR & @Alex – I’ll be doing the same now. Locking my tire and frame before I put the bike on the bus. I’m still a little gun shy about taking the bus with the bike. It’s going to be just the train for now until I ease back in it.
Just lock one of the wheels with a short rope lock (to the frame, not to the bike rack). When leaving the bus, lift the bike up and unlock it on the sidewalk.
Anything obvious to show the would-be thief your bike is not an easy target.
All this time I thought I was paranoid for locking my front wheel, and standing at the front of the bus to watch my bike… good to know that my neurosis is supported by Metro and the LASD 🙂
Thanks for reposting my story. Let this be a good reminder to those that it could happen to you. I’ve taken my bikes on bus hundreds of times prior without incidents. It only takes one time for a thief to run off with it.
[…] miss the LACBC Open House on December 5th; and yes, I’ll be there. How to protect your bike from theft while riding Metro. Pardon me boy, is that the Westwood Blvd choo choo tracks? Take a bike train to […]
Frame locks like these also work best when you have to park the bike momentarily, like onto the front of the bus.
http://www.amazon.com/Defender-RL-Bicycle-Frame-Lock/dp/B004AQNM78
If the victim had one in place, then the crook wouldn’t have made such an easy getaway; he would’ve had to carry the bike to make his escape.
I feel kinda sad for the victim. He paid $1,300 for his bike when all it could’ve taken was $60 worth of hardware on Amazon.com to prevent the crook from making an easy getaway.
BikeSpike goes on sale next year. It’s a LoJack/Onstar system for bicycles and it only costs $129.00 when you preorder.
http://bikespike.com/
This will come in handy for all you bicyclists out there.
Also, Everyone is reminded that if someone attempts to take your bicycle or any other property, do not try to intervene on your own. You personal safety is much more valuable than any item. Rather, be a good wtiness. Get as much info as you can, and notify the train or bus operator, and/or call us (LASD Transit) at (888)950-SAFE (7233)
Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Transit Services