I don't know where you live, but the MAIN reason bikes are stolen in my neck of the woods is because drug dealers use them to transport their product. They can fill the hollow tubes of a bike with drugs, and once the drugs are delivered, they just toss the bikes away. Given that your husband is tall, and his bike is therefore bigger/longer than most, I'd imagine he is always going to find he's more at risk for having them stolen

Can't he take the bike inside? Good time to insist that they give him some inside space to park his bike, especially since the company isn't being too helpful about the lost one. Although, I wouldn't drop that case just yet. They have insurance, they have security--he really should try leaning a little harder on them. With decent bikes costing between $500-1000 or more these days, he shouldn't be out of pocket like that just because he tried to do the right thing.

Alternatively--could he walk to work? My husband is beside himself (with happiness) because his office is moving in a couple of months. Now, he works about 7 miles away, no way to ride a bike because we're talking busy, NE highways. By fall, he'll be working only about 1.5 miles from the house, and plans to walk as much as possible.

So sorry, Clare...I, too, am tired of the world being this way.

Since it was caught on company cameras, maybe a call to the local evening news and getting the video aired to the public will nab the thief. Just a thought.

Between Talley Sue's purse stolen in her church to your DH's bicycle, it's just unbelievable.

~Carol~

So sorry this happened; it also makes me so angry when someone takes something. We all work so hard for our little pleasures in life.

I would not hesitate to bring my new/next bike right into the office with me....on the elevator if necessary!

Best,
Dee

You say it was locked. Did he cut the lock or chain?

In our state, everyone seems to use the kind of expensive chain and lock that cannot be cut with clippers. Cannot remember the name of the metal.

We live in the suburbs of a large metropolitan area, and I have learned that nothing is safe. My kids live in large metropolitan cities, and the youngest has had to learn the hard way about apartment lock up (windows) twice!

I think so much of this stealing is related to illicit drug use.

I'm sorry this happened to your dh. Does homeowners insurance cover bikes? He has proof it was stolen.

If he does get another bike, he could look for one that he can take the front wheel off and take it into work. It comes off in a few seconds and is very light weight.

It amazes me how many thieves there are. How do they sleep peacefully at night?

There was a robbery in Indianapolis caught on the security video & it's been posted on U-TUBE don't know if it's gotten any results though.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I had never heard about the drug thing. Learn something new every day. Unfortunately it is too far to walk, just over 10 miles, but great for a bike ride. Company policy won't let you take the bike inside currently. And the way the camera was positioned they caught the guy walking away so no face view. Don't know how he got the chain and lock off, because he took that also.

Replacement cost is under the deductible amount so no help from insurance. He has requested compensation for the loss from the company because felt that the bike was secure in that location or it is suppose to be. It is the only bike rack available and it is located adjacent to the employee entrance. Probably won't get him anything but worth a try.

He sent HR a memo and here are some of the suggestions he made.
"1) Install a bike rack outside the front entrance where there would be visibility to receptionist/security in the lobby. This would also be out of the way of non-employee foot traffic.
2) Provide a more secure bike rack, such as the bike lockers provided at train and light rail stations.
3) Secure inside bike parking. The area next to the stairwell, just inside that east entrance, appears ideal. All that would be needed would be to add rings attached to the wall to secure the bikes.
4) Add a security camera. I was surprised to learn that the area outside this entrance wasn't monitored by a security camera.

5. Add fence and key card gates to the whole area including the employee picnic area. I've always thought it odd that, on days when the cafeteria has a barbeque there, that non-employees can pass through on their way to Starbucks and Quiznos. Also, late at night, this looks like an area where someone could lurk making is dangerous for late shift workers."

I maybe biased but I think they are very good suggestions in regards to security for everyone. But I am sure it will get filed in the circular file.
Clare

Excellant suggestions! I do hope he keeps pestering them until he gets some sort of action (either recompense for the bike stolen on their insecure property, or a better system for the future, or BOTH)

As as to that company policy? I'd be ignoring it, and just walking right in with the bike--unless they can offer either a secure parking place OR file the appropriate insurance claim on my behalf, then the bike stays with me.

It's ridiculous,isn't it? My dtr's expensive bike was stolen this winter. The thief was caught on surveillance tape cutting the lock while the bike was parked in university-approved bike parking in a parking garage.

The city police found a thief and several other bikes he had allegedly stolen. The police called dtr in and told her to select a bike - any bike (her bike was licensed and registered, nothing matched) - so they could prosecute the kid for bike theft, but her bike was not among the stolen bikes on display! She refused because there was no proof this was the thief who actually stole her bike, even if the kid was in fact A Thief! To my dtr, it seemed the police were trying railroad the kid. Plus, she was allowed to see the video of the theft to identify her bike. She felt sure that the kid on the tape was not the same kid in the police line-up.

She ended up without a bike, but I'm still proud of her for standing up to the police. The kid was prosecuted without dtr's participation. She did get about $75. from our homeowners insurance towards replacement because the bike was valued at $575, licensed and registered, but our deductible is $500. Poor college student decided against a new bike, though.

I think your hubby's suggestions are excellent. I hope his company pays attention.

No lock will protect a bike from theft.
If a thief is out looking for pricey bikes he's likely well equiped..liquid nitrogen will remove any lock in seconds...and it's a well used method.
The only safe way to protect your bike is to keep it inside.

Sorry! That stinks. Bikes used for drugs.... I am so saddened that people do things like this. I have heard of many things, but hadn't heard that one before and that made perfect sense. I hope that they find the bike. Can they gate off the bike racks to need id tag to get in and get the bikes?

Here is a link that might be useful: Autism awareness and our son's story.

That's terrible. Alot of bike theft happens here in Seattle too. I've seen many friends either remove one of the wheels, or the seat after locking it up and taking it with them. Not very easy to get away on a bike missing one wheel and not too comfortable to try and get away on a bike without a seat.

I used to work with a guy who had a bike that could fold up, so he always stored it in his cubicle. He was tall too. Maybe your DH could look into getting one of those.