Responsibility for stolen bike

[hencio]

I purchased a nice new Salsa Vaya a few weeks ago as a reward for biking to work regularly for the last 3.5 years. It fit me well, and was perfectly suited to my type of riding. Sadly, last Thursday, my bike was stolen from the garaged bike rack at my office. Heartbroken and pissed off at thieves, a began to think about it and wonder what responsibility the building should bear. Since I’ve been in this office (2 years) I’ve seen at least 3 other bike stolen off the rack. It would have felt more of a rash, except that those bikes were using flimsy cable locks. In my case, I had a u-lock with a cable securing the wheel. I feel like I did what I could security wise, but someone actually took a grinder to the lock during work hours and took off with my new ride.

What I do know is that 1. one can access the garage from walking into the building and walking to the garage. 2. There are no security cameras despite the history of prior thefts. 3. That someone was able to cut my lock with a super loud grinder, seemingly undetected. 4. I’m sad as hell that I’m our a nice chunk of change and having to go back to my old ill fitting ride.

I’m curious if anyone out there has had an experience like this. I’m curious of the building bears any responsibility or if I should chalk this up to my own bad luck?

[CCrew]

Unfortunately most buildings are at a “park at your own risk” system, but I’d check with the building Mgmt to be sure that they don’t have insurance to cover.

It really sounds like you did what you could to secure it, but there’s really no stopping an ambitious thief. Maaaan, I’d be pissed if they got my Vaya, I love mine. I really feel for you.

I have a somewhat similar situation in that my employer owns our garage, and yet I trust it not one bit and bring my bike up to my office because they won’t cover it. Every couple of months security gets bored and raises an issue, but they’re pretty high up the food chain to get over my head, and my boss rides too, so he’s not too sympathetic to their whining.

[KLizotte]

My sincere condolences for your loss.

Most U-locks manufacturers will reimburse you up to 1K+ if you can prove someone managed to cut the lock (take photos and do not throw out that lock since you usually have to mail it back to the manufacturer). I think you have to have registered the lock (and possibly the bike) for such a reimbursement to take place though. Check the documentation that came with your lock (or check online).

Some credit cards offer theft insurance automatically with purchases. Again, check with your provider.

Lastly, my apartment rental insurance covers stolen items outside of my apartment. I’ve never had reason to inquire about bikes but I’ve been told that they would cover anything stolen out of my car so I assume bikes would apply.

I’d cover all my bases to see if someone else will reimburse you for the loss. I’d also raise holy hell with bldg management (all they can say is “go away”). If you buy another bike, I’d find a way to take it into the office with me (regardless of what bldg security says).

[off2ride]

Sorry for your loss. Just like what CCrew said, check with bldg management to see what they can do for you. If you saved the serial number from the bike, email the place where you purchased it (hopefully it’s local) and also email local bike stores in the area to watch out for your Salsa after you’re given them the info on it. Email me the info and description on your bike as well off forum so I can also watch out for it just in case it comes in our shop. Law enforcement will take notes on the incident but will not follow up not unless it’s one of their own bikes. So try that and hopefully your steed in recovered.

[hencio]

@Ccrew – at the very least, looks like we are going to get a secure bike room. Too bad it had to take me losing my bike to get some action. If we as bikers would have pushed harder, perhaps this may have occurred earlier

@KLizotte – Checked the u-lock. The theft protection only lasts 3 years. I guess that is their way of getting you to buy a new lock. They will be sending me a new lock though. Also, checked into the Credit card thing. I so super excited when I saw this cause I remember that Amex does this. Unfortunately, the bikestore only tool visa/MC, so I used my visa. Only Business Visas get this benefit. Checked with my homeowners. The deductible is enough to just pay for the whole thing out of pocket. If only I had purchased a more expensive bike! Raise hell is my next plan. Management will be hearing from me.

@off2ride – waiting on the serial number from Salsa. Cops were cool, but I don’t expect them to do anything at all. The guys at Cyclelife and Spokes etc are already on the lookout. I’ll send you a PM with that info.

[Arlingtonrider]

If you have a photo you can post we can all be on the lookout for it. Color?

So sorry this happened to you!

[hencio]

@Arlingtonrider 17431 wrote:

If you have a photo you can post we can all be on the lookout for it. Color?

So sorry this happened to you!

Here is the only photo I ever took. The bike had a front fender when it was stolen. [ATTACH=CONFIG]878[/ATTACH]

[Arlingtonrider]

We’ll watch for it.

[KLizotte]

If your company leases the office space, I’d go high up your food chain and see if they can complain to the building’s owner about extraordinary lax security and demand financial compensation. For someone to come in with a buzz saw and use it in broad daylight is remarkably ballsy but also shows that he or she cased the joint and decided there was zero risk. It would have been easier to just steal a car!

Some good tips here on recovering a stolen bike: http://www.bikeshepherd.org/stolen-bike-recovery.html

[mstone]

@KLizotte 17436 wrote:

If your company leases the office space, I’d go high up your food chain and see if they can complain to the building’s owner about extraordinary lax security and demand financial compensation. For someone to come in with a buzz saw and use it in broad daylight is remarkably ballsy but also shows that he or she cased the joint and decided there was zero risk. It would have been easier to just steal a car!

Cars are expensive enough that the police care a bit more.

[Terpfan]

Is it a pay garage or access only sort? I used to think my bike was less safe because my garage was mostly monthly pass holders, but had some pay spots until I realized that because of the pay portion, they always have an attendant sitting maybe 100 feet away from where the bikes are parked.

Sucks on the bike. I wonder why a thief would go to that length, but then not bother stealing say a car right next to it.

[pfunkallstar]

Bike thieves HATE hanging on to merchandise and often try to move things same-day (pawn shops, barter, etc…). That said, it wouldn’t hurt to keep an eye out on Craigslist.

[MCL1981]

I have seen alarm’s you can attach to the bike. They have proximity sensors and stuff and will sound an obnoxiously loud siren.

[hencio]

@KLizotte 17427 wrote:

My sincere condolences for your loss.

Some credit cards offer theft insurance automatically with purchases. Again, check with your provider.

I’d cover all my bases to see if someone else will reimburse you for the loss. I’d also raise holy hell with bldg management (all they can say is “go away”). If you buy another bike, I’d find a way to take it into the office with me (regardless of what bldg security says).

Thanks for the CC theft insurance advice. I kept at it and it looks like I’ll re-coup $500 through my credit card. It is not a lot, but it will be enough to purchase a frame to build.

Sadly I got nowhere with building management, except for working on securing bike parking.

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