What do bike thieves do with stolen bikes?
Last fall, police officers in the cycling-friendly town of Davis, California, recovered almost 70 stolen bikes they believe are linked to a single thief. The bikes that go unclaimed, by law, will be returned to the pawn shops where the thief or thieves fenced them.
What are the most stolen bikes?
Most stolen motorcycle makes in the United States in 2019
| Characteristic | Number of thefts |
|---|---|
| American Honda Motor Co., Inc. | 8,122 |
| Yamaha Motor Corporation | 6,495 |
| Harley Davidson, Inc. | 4,737 |
| American Suzuki Motor Corporation | 4,686 |
Is it a crime to steal a bike?
Many people rely on their bicycles and other vessels for transportation and work. It may be tempting to “temporarily borrow” someone else’s bicycle, boat or other vessel without their consent, however the unlawful taking of a bicycle or vessel is considered a theft crime under California Penal Code Section 499b PC.
Why do bikes get stolen so often?
Another reason theft is so prevalent is that locks haven’t kept pace with the times. The ones that do work can be so expensive or so heavy that they actually deter people from riding in the first place. GPS trackers can locate a stolen bike, but do nothing to stop thieves who only want to strip its parts.
Where are bikes stolen the most?
The top ten US cities for bike theft list comes from Kryptonites own research….
- New York City, NY.
- Los Angeles, CA.
- Portland, OR.
- San Francisco, CA.
- Chicago, IL.
- Washington, DC.
- Philadelphia, PA.
- Seattle, WA.
How do I know if the bike I bought is stolen?
Check the serial number The serial number can be checked within databases like Bike Index or Bike Register, so if the bike has been registered as stolen you can then take steps to involve the police. If the serial number has been filed off or covered in any way, this is also a sure sign that the bike was stolen.