I became the internet’s most notorious bike thief

Post by henryaj » Tue, Nov 30, 2021, 4:01 PM UTC

Freak_NL wrote: post #38

ThePhysicist wrote: post #26

Slightly off topic, but I think bike thieves are becoming more and more professional recently. Here in Berlin many now use small cordless screwdrivers with a custom gearing mechanism that operates a bolt-cutter. With that they can even cut through thick steel-bar type bike locks in a few seconds, without making any noise. I saw that in a police report lately but I can't find a link with a photo of the device now, unf…

These days not having an e-bike is probably one of the easiest deterrents. Next step seems to be to avoid design bikes like Van Moof. And finally, have your bike look used. Then again, my bike is probably not the first one they'll consider, given that it has a 70cm frame making it all but impossible to ride for anyone under 195cm (being 200cm myself). If you steal a bicycle you have to be able to sell it, and given t…

Post by mindslight » Tue, Nov 30, 2021, 4:04 PM UTC

lozenge wrote: post #31

claviska wrote: post #3

> And the irony, of course, is this: the pictured bike itself was never stolen, but the rushed magazine photo has been – by hundreds of people, perpetuating a fake crime over and over. At what point (if ever) would using a photo like this fall under fair use? The author doesn’t seem to care, but I’m curious if copyright is ever forfeited due to widespread use or inaction of the copyright holder.

No, copyright isn't forfeited like that, only trademarks are. It fails this part of fair use: 'The purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes. Courts typically focus on whether the use is “transformative.” That is, whether it adds new expression or meaning to the original, or whether it merely copies from the original.'

Post by tjr225 » Tue, Nov 30, 2021, 4:08 PM UTC

kuschku wrote: post #97

globular-toast wrote: post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yours isn't a low end bike and this might be the price point for you if you aren't enthusiastic about it at all. I don't know a lot about town bikes, though. I prefer road bikes (even for commuting and getting around town with panniers). Higher end bikes don't have any "features" that yours doesn't have. But you could also spend half as much as you did and still get the same features. Higher price points get you ligh…

But what’s that gonna provide for me? There’s diminishing returns beyond this point, the efficiency gains are in the single digit percentages or often only placebo effects, and I’ve never even seen a bicycle that stopped being used out of old age. A new coat of paint every decade or two, replacing the tires and brake pads every two years, and maybe the chain every decade, and it’ll run forever. I feel like it’s just…

Post by mrsuprawsm » Tue, Nov 30, 2021, 4:12 PM UTC

owenwil wrote: post #96

mrsuprawsm wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I do wonder how often Van Moof bikes get stolen, despite their tracking features. Fear of theft is the one thing that puts me off buying one.

I had two stolen over the years I owned one in Amsterdam. The first one was recovered in about a week. The second was never found, but they replace it when they don’t find it as a part of that guarantee–which is why it’s actually a really great deal.

Post by JaggerFoo » Tue, Nov 30, 2021, 4:53 PM UTC

jspash wrote: post #73

devoutsalsa wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I knew a guy with a similar philosophy. He spray painted his bike ugly color.

Something like this? https://iamspecialized.medium.com/very-special-things-rust-v...