I received an email from a reader yesterday wondering if there is a way to collect more information from people who have had their bikes stolen to try to figure out what the thieves are targeting. I’ve got a new submission form below.
What do you think? Is that comprehensive enough or should we be asking for more info?
When we are set with the form, I’ll place it in the stolen bike section across the top for people to fill out.
[contact-form 3 “Stolen Bike submission”]
Date or at least day of the week of the theft.
Great idea. I’ve added it along with serial # and where the bike was purchased.
How about “any unusual identifying marks/dents/scratches”?
Re: “to figure out what the thieves are targeting” — they’re basically targeting everything, all the time. This is pretty much a constant.
Adding a ‘unique components’ field wouldn’t hurt, and ‘Police report filed with?’ and ‘Police report number’ also goes a long way to getting bikes back. This goes a long way towards getting the PD’s involved when one pops up if you can give them an existing case #
-bhance
-stolenbicycleregistry.com
Re: “to figure out what the thieves are targeting” — they’re basically targeting everything, all the time. This is pretty much a constant.
Adding a ‘unique components’ field wouldn’t hurt, and ‘Police report filed with?’ and ‘Police report number’ also goes a long way to getting bikes back. This goes a long way towards getting the PD’s involved when one pops up if you can give them an existing case #
-bhance
-stolenbicycleregistry.com
The serial number is almost invariably stamped on the underside of the bottom bracket shell. Even on Wal-Mart bikes. Yes, “what’s a bottom bracket shell?”