BikeDC

MPD: “The “Do’s and Don’ts” of Bicycle Theft Prevention Do Not – Let strangers ride your bike. (They may not bring it back!)”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user ³²¹

From MPD:

“”Do’s and Don’ts” of Bicycle Theft Prevention

Do:

Mark you bike with an identification number. Engrave this on the frame of the bike
(example: MD A -123-456-789-123).
Store your bike in the house.
Insure your bike against theft. Check to see if your homeowners or renters insurance automatically covers it, or if it has to be specifically listed.
Record the Make/Model/Serial Number of Your Bike. Find the serial number of your bike near the rear wheel or beneath the bottom bracket where the pedals attach. Write it down and put it in a safe place. Take a color photograph of your bike to give to the police if your bike is stolen. Keep it with your bicycle receipt.

Do Not:

Leave your bike lying in the yard.
Leave your bike in your garage with the garage door open.
Walk away from your bike, thinking you will only be gone a few seconds.
Hide your bike behind bushes and think it is safe.
Let strangers ride your bike. (They may not bring it back!)

Lock It Up!

Every time you leave your bike unattended, lock it up! Use a theft-proof chain, cable, or bar lock to attach it to a sturdy, fixed object.
Lock your bike in a well-lighted area where it can seen from inside a building.
Remember to lock up your bike at home.

Registration:

As of June 1, 2008, bicycle registration is no longer required in the District of Columbia. However, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) strongly encourage residents to register their bicycles with the National Bicycle Registry (NBR).

NBR is a service that allows you to register your bicycle by serial number in a national database. If your bike is ever stolen, it can be identified and you can prove ownership. Law enforcement anywhere can access this database. NBR also guarantees your registration. If your bike is stolen and not recovered by police within 6 months, NBR will register your next bike for free and the stolen bike information will remain in the database until the bike is recovered no matter how long it takes.”

“All three of our bikes (our only mode of transportation) were stolen out of our garage” Please Keep Your Eyes Peeled

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

​All three of our bikes (our only mode of transportation) were stolen out of our garage in Park View, in the alley between Irving St NW and Columbia Rd. NW between Warder and Georgia Ave. The crime happened between 10pm on 8/11/14 and 6:30am on 8/12. Unfortunately, there was no way to lock them to anything in our garage so they were locked to themselves. The thieves came in the back yard and through a second story window into the 2-story garage, jumping down below and opening the garage door from the inside. We just purchased and moved into this home a few weeks ago, so needless to say we are gutted.

Taken were: 2008 navy blue Bianchi Volpe with a Brooks saddle, SPD pedals and drop handlebars with brown tape, featuring a large dent in the top tube; a 2008 forest green Surly Long Haul Trucker with an Air Zound air horn, Brooks saddle, black handlebar tape, a Surly “Nice” rear rack and SPD pedals; and our most prized possession, a 2005 silver Specialized Hard Rock mountain bike with an Xtracycle long tail attachment and black Surly front fork, with a padded “magic carpet” seat on the rear and blinky lights strung about.

We rode off from our wedding on the Xtracycle, use it to haul our Christmas trees in the winter, and are in the midst of training for a century on our other two bikes.

We are particularly concerned that a neighbor was involved in this theft as it seems unlikely that a random thief would break into our garage in such a manner without knowing the interior contents.

Please be on the lookout for these special bikes! Contact christinaines[at]gmail[dot]com with any information or if you see these bikes around town!”

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My Stolen Bike Bought on Craigslist “is there any way to get these people in trouble?”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu

“Dear PoPville,

I had my bike stolen the other night right from outside of the shaw metro. The thieves cut my lock and took the bike. Sure enough I see an ad for the same bike on craigslist a day later offering it at a very low price – it was clear they were trying to get rid of it quickly. The photo was not actually of my bike, so I was only 90% sure it was the same one. When I met them to confirm it was mine and “purchase” it, my plan was to just take it. But I was met by two people who came in a car and the bike didn’t have the wheels on it so a getaway didn’t seem likely. I reluctantly paid them $100 for my bike back, but told them I knew they stole it or at least they know it was stolen. Naturally, they claimed to have “bought it off some guy on the street” the previous day.

I filed a police report once I noticed it was gone and I know what the person who sold it to me looks like and their phone # – is there any way to get these people in trouble?

I wanted to go for the sting type of operation, but I didn’t see any police nearby and I don’t have any documentation that I even own the bike.”

Cyclist hit by Driver at 13th and Wallach Pl, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Joe in DC

Joe writes:

“I came upon this after this happened – don’t know the cause. I heard from people on Twitter that the cyclist walked to the ambulance on his own power. Irony: the person who appears to be the driver is wearing hospital scrubs.”

NoMa BID’s War on Washington Post Columnist, Courtland Milloy, Continues

By Prince Of Petworth

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This battle is starting to get bloody.

From a press release:

“NoMa just got even more bike-friendly, with new air pumps and a free public repair station installed in the neighborhood. To serve cycling traffic from the Metropolitan Branch Trail and the beautiful new cycle track on First Street, NE, the NoMa BID has installed a bright orange FIXIT station, an outdoor, tamper-resistant repair station that includes all the tools necessary to perform basic repairs and maintenance, from changing a flat to adjusting brakes and derailleurs. The tools and air pump are securely attached to the stand with stainless steel cables and tamper-proof fasteners. Hanging the bike from the hanger arms allows the pedals and wheels to spin freely while making adjustments. The FIXIT station is located right off the Metropolitan Branch Trail ramp on M Street, NE, under the underpass and across from the M Street entrance to the NoMa/Gallaudet U Metro station.

In addition, the NoMa BID has installed five new, tamper-resistant, bright orange bike air pumps throughout the neighborhood at the following locations:

· First and M Streets, NE, northwest corner of the intersection
· M Street, NE, right off the Met Branch Trail ramp next to the new Fixit Station
· Third and L Streets, NE, southeast corner of the intersection
· On First Street, NE, just south of K Street, NE, adjacent to the Burnham Wall
· On North Capitol at H Street, NE, adjacent to the University of the District of Columbia (more…)

Anyone lose/have stolen a Blue Beach Cruiser Bike? Also Please Keep Eyes Peeled for a Red Kona Jake with bike rack

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Yesterday around 5pm I found that someone had thrown a bicycle into some flower bushes in our front yard. I assume that the bike had been stolen and the thief decided that he/she didn’t want it after all. We live near 14th and Q St, NW. I can be contacted at drapermd1(at)verizon.net”

And please keep your eyes peeled for a bike stolen in Bloomingdale:

“Saturday my bike, a red Kona Jake with bike rack, lights and bell was stolen from my home on V street NW on Crispus Attucks park. If anyone comes across a used Kona Jake could they please let me know?”

Free Coffee Time for Bike Commuters Passing Through Logan

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Joe in DC

From an email:

“The Bike Rack in partnership with Peregerine Espresso is offering Free ICED and HOT coffee for bicycle commuters Wednesday morning, July 16th from 7:30 am until approximately 9:30 am. We will be at the corner of 14th and Q, NW handing out free cups of coffee as you make your way into work or wherever you are headed. Bring your own travel mug or grab one of our cold or hot cups. Look for our banner, stop by and have a cup of joe on us!”

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