Site Search:
 
Speak Korean Now!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Bicycle theft.

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Off-Topic Forum
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
OneWayTraffic



Joined: 14 Mar 2005
PostPosted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 3:49 pm    Post subject: Bicycle theft. Reply with quote
My wife had her bike stolen from outside our apartment yesterday. It was immobilised with a standard combination cable lock, but that obviously didn't deter the thief much. How do you guys secure your bikes?

It was a pretty cheap steel ladies bike with a basket and baby seat. Guess I'm in the market for another.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
bluelake



Joined: 01 Dec 2005
PostPosted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 4:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Unfortunately, bicycle theft in Korea is all too common; we've had a couple ripped off (years ago) and they were pretty nice bikes (one was just bought at the time).

How did you wrap the cable lock? Some people just go through the wheel rim, which will often result in one wheel being left behind (there's one here at the university that's been attached to a bike rack for a couple months). You need to make sure it's also wrapped through the bike frame itself; to take it, a thief would have to sever the cable (or know the combination).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
OneWayTraffic



Joined: 14 Mar 2005
PostPosted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 5:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
We're pretty sure he either picked it or cut it. I've seen youtube videos on how to pick a combo lock.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
bluelake



Joined: 01 Dec 2005
PostPosted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 5:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
In that case, probably not much could be done preventatively.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
OneWayTraffic



Joined: 14 Mar 2005
PostPosted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 5:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
bluelake wrote:
In that case, probably not much could be done preventatively.


Well yeah. One thing I did in NZ was lock the frame and back wheel with a U lock, and then lock the front wheel and frame to a post or bike stand with a cable lock. Never had it stolen. It's pretty unlikely someone will have the tools/skills to defeat two entirely different forms of locks.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
toonchoon



Joined: 06 Feb 2009
Location: Gangnam
PostPosted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 5:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
sorry to hear about the bike theft! i always just think it's such a safe country, where stuff doesn't get stolen.

i don't even lock up my scooter, but I probably should put a lock on the wheel, just to deter any possible thief. then again, who wants to steal an old ugly daelim scooter? maybe...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
yoja



Joined: 30 May 2008
PostPosted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 6:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
When I I had friends who lived in the "ghettos" around Newark, New Jersey, they would wrap the bike frame in duct tape, or something so that it looked trashy. Their cushy bike seat would still get stolen sometimes, though. Evil or Very Mad
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
giraffe



Joined: 07 Apr 2009
PostPosted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
My gf got one of those portable bikes she can fold and bring into the apt. That could be a good option for you.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
OneWayTraffic



Joined: 14 Mar 2005
PostPosted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 4:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
There's a parking area in the basement. Not secure, but out of sight. Just getting lazy I guess.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
OneWayTraffic



Joined: 14 Mar 2005
PostPosted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 4:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
toonchoon wrote:
sorry to hear about the bike theft! i always just think it's such a safe country, where stuff doesn't get stolen.

i don't even lock up my scooter, but I probably should put a lock on the wheel, just to deter any possible thief. then again, who wants to steal an old ugly daelim scooter? maybe...


Bicycle theft is pretty common in Seoul. Other people in our building have had bikes lifted as well.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Snowflake



Joined: 12 Dec 2006
Location: Seoul
PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
toonchoon wrote:
sorry to hear about the bike theft! i always just think it's such a safe country, where stuff doesn't get stolen.

i don't even lock up my scooter, but I probably should put a lock on the wheel, just to deter any possible thief. then again, who wants to steal an old ugly daelim scooter? maybe...


Lock it up! Someone was desperate enough to steal my battered old Venus from outside my apartment last week and so I now have to buy a new one which pisses me off Evil or Very Mad
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
harlowethrombey



Joined: 17 Mar 2009
Location: Seoul
PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
It's common in Japan, too. Although you often just find your bike trashed in one of the 'mega lots' at a train station a month later (these places are like a post-apocalyptic bike wasteland).

I have no idea if this is true but my friends told me that its usually teenagers who just steal the bike either because A) they're late for a train/academy or B) they just feel too lazy to walk.


On the other side of this, before I left Japan I tried to get my bike stolen. The da*n thing had tried to kill me half a dozen times so it was either that or flip it into the river while I laughed maniacally from the bridge.


Of course no one stole it.