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Somebody's stealing bikes and scooters from Boston University students
By adamg on Mon, 10/07/2024 - 9:02am
The Daily Free Press reports 26 students had their bikes or scooters stolen, from the streets of Allston to the racks of BU - and some were secured with U-locks. The Freep interviewed one student who rode his scooter to class, locked it to a rack with a wire lock and, while in class, ordered a U-lock - only to go outside to find his scooter stolen.
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primary suspect
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_9x9iiJ_Z0
It’s that time of year again.
Bike stealing from new students season.
Also known as
Everyday news from every campus in the US.
Not really
Fall is prime time for crimes against students.
Stealing is bad
But the theft rate for bikes used to be far worse. Still a pain if you are a cash-limited college student and it is your major mode of transport.
Where I lived in Fenway/Kenmore as a student, my housemates would teach those getting bikes how to properly lock them up. Thanks to that orientation, I've never had a bike or even a wheel stolen.
Key points:
Lock both wheels
Always lock through the frame
Be sure that it can't be lifted over a sign post or parking meter (make it tight)
Make sure that a thief can't just unbolt the rack and slide it off.
I went for a short NYC chain for my e-bike. I have a cable for the front wheel, and a built in "cafe" lock for the rear. It would be difficult to find a way through that short chain without damaging the bike (it barely fits around the bike frame and the pole or rack), and the whole mess says "not easy - move along".
I lost a bike as a noob
The first bike I had in Boston (while in college) I locked to a tree outside my apartment. I had previously been bringing it up to my room, but was tired that day and figured it would be fine. The next morning, that tree was bent over with some branches, and my bike, missing.
These days I have a tiny U-lock and only lock it to actual racks, and have only lost a couple bike lights that I forgot to take off before going into a store.