I've been fortunate in that although I bike everywhere I go, I've never had a bike stolen (knock on wood!) Only and somewhat inexplicably one rusty bolt-on front wheel. This is probably a combination of good locking techniques, usually locking up an unattractive target, and definitely a dose of good luck. One bike was cosmetically damaged but not stolen when a would-be thief tried to use my bike as leverage to break the lock, where it was locked to the railing of the front porch where I was living. The good luck? Another tenant saw this and scared him away.
After work yesterday I swung by the police warehouse on Strachan Avenue where the bikes are on display. A few people I know have had bikes stolen but could not make it down to look, or didn't think it was worth bothering. "But I like the bike I have now", or "I have no way to identify it" One friend no longer lives in Toronto, but had his beloved bike stolen some years ago here.
Armed with my mental list of makes and models I wandered the aisles of the warehouses arranged by letter by make name. It was so sad to see the whole sea of bicycles, that had obviously been once well loved by someone now sitting battered and alone. Many without wheels and saddles.
While I had no luck finding anything to tell my friends about, I did notice one person who claimed to have found his bike, and an officer was quizzing him on how he knew it was his. Many dejected looking faces having gotten their hopes up but not having found what they were looking for.
Ah but sad bike owners, there is still hope! As I was leaving the warehouse I noticed a van being unloaded full of more bikes. Wait, more bikes? All the bikes aren't on display?
Apparently they have found more in raids of two new locations. No word yet on when all the bikes will be sorted into the displays, or if the viewing deadline is being extended (currently until Thurs July 31, from noon to 8) But if you have looked previously and lucked out, you may want to look again.
Comments
David Warde-Farley (not verified)
Got (one of) mine back
Tue, 07/29/2008 - 13:31I found my bike that was stolen from my building's parking garage last Halloween (still no word on the one that was stolen from my building's locked bike room 3 weeks ago). The wheel that left with it was gone, along with the custom rack and fenders, and seat. I don't have much use for a bare frame, especially since I have a bike now that I like, but it's vindicating to get back something that was rightfully mine.
People who don't go down because they "like the bike they have now" should consider the fact that every stolen bike they return to the rightful owner helps build the case against Igor and puts another nail in his coffin. Even if you don't want the bike back, go take a look for the sake of bringing a bike thief to justice, especially if you have a receipt and can prove it's yours. The harder they can come down on Igor, the more of a deterrent it will be for him and others like him in the future.