Someone Moved My Bike

[Rogue]

I’ve heard of a few people in ST.net over the years regarding people messing with their bikes.  I never thought it would really ever happen to me, but I guess I was in denial.

The building I work in has a bank that has not been open for years.  The bank office is abandoned.  It has a drive-thru ATM machine with an awning.  A few of my co-workers regularly use the parking under the awning especially when it gets hot in SoCal.  Other tenants in the building also use it to park their cars.  So last week, I rode my Firebolt in and I parked under the awning.  There were other cars parked under it, although I was not blocking any of them.  Well I came out at the end of the day and my bike had been moved directly in front of my co-worker’s car.  My co-worker was about to go call me and ask me WTF!  Why was I blocking her?  I told her I didn’t park it that way, instead somebody had moved my bike.  We both could not believe it.  The scary part was, the Firebolt was sitting precariously on its sidestand in the unlocked position.  If a strong gust of wind blew it could easily rock forward and down she would have went!  I was pissed!  I wish I would have caught the guy who moved it!  I don’t know what I would have done but I would have been throwing a shit-fit from hell that’s for sure.  Maybe it was better I didn’t catch the “mover”.  I was lucky the bike remained upright.

I guess I had it coming though.  I didn’t lock the steering, nor do I put a disc lock on the bike.  I figured I didn’t have to.  Now I know better.  My co-workers and I were theorizing that maybe someone thought the ATM machine was operational and I was blocking the way so they moved my bike.  But since there was a sign that said "ATM CLOSED" posted on the window, you would think people would figure it out.  That and there were other cars parked around there should have been clue enough!  Or maybe it was the owner of the car behind my bike moved it to spite "the bike" owner that just parks wherever.  Who really knows.  In any case, I stopped parking there and found what I think is a safer spot.  Now I make sure I lock my steering at the very least.

What would you guys done if you caught someone moving your bike or knew who moved it?

[thatguy]

What would you guys done if you caught someone moving your bike or knew who moved it?

Get arrested. Sued and other bad things. That will eventually pass but the damage inflicted on the one bold enough to trespass against me will be forever.

[marc11]

Wrong, that is just wrong.  I would not be happy and may even had become physical if someone moved my bike.

[Elseanno]

Feel your pain, Rogue.

Happened to me a couple of years ago in the Mission district of S.F. Bike was moved from a legal parking spot between 2 driveways because a roofing contractor wanted to park in front of a job that he didn't bother to get a parking permit for. I was on verge of beating him but the Fiancee got in the middle of things. Almost ended our relationship.... In retrospect, I think I should have called the cops and charged guy with theft or car(bike)jacking.

It has to be considered as it would if it were a car. If someone broke into your car and moved it  for their own parking convenience what would you do? I'd call the cops. I think the cops & courts would take a dim view of the perpetrator.

OTOH, depending on the situation a tire iron to the ankles/knees/ribs/elbows/wrists doesn't seem out of line to me. Might get you a ride to the police station though. If you have your gear on you could kick 'em in the nuts, then the face (when they fall) or smack 'em with your helmet. Again, good chance of legal intervention.

In the end, if your bike is ok you were wronged and disrespected but ok. I totally understand your anger. Just remember that actions taken in anger usually are the wrong ones. (don't ask how I know)

Glad to see your still riding!  

Elseanno

[Espada]

Somebody moving my bike?  I am not that far above eating someone.

[Albie]

They didn't mess with your stash did they????

[ConPilot1]

You're rightfully pissed. Don't touch my vehicle.

[TuffguyF4i]

I had this happen when i was the supervisor of a large machine shop.  It was easy to find the culprit since it was his boss.  

However, it turned out we where both in the wrong.  I was in a parking spot he had earned, so he moved me.  Also, he was a rider and knew what he was doing.  

[Scratch33]

Note: Not a dig at the OP.

Years ago I participated in a charity run that wound up at a children's hospital in Baltimore.  All the riders were directed to a parking lot before we went inside and handed gifts to the organizers.

It was a well-attended event and most everyone parked in orderly rows.  One badass pirate type however (who'd spent the entire event stomping around and refusing to engage in conversation with anyone) decided his custom chopper needed to be parked caddywompass, and as a result it wound up blocking the exit of an entire row of parked bikes.

A bunch of riders decided to bodily move the guys bike a few feet to allow other departing riders to leave.   When the badass walked out of the building a few minutes later and noticed his bike in a place other than where he'd parked, he started yelling at no one in particular.  'WHO MOVED MY BIKE?! WHO THE $*$%& MOVED MY BIKE!!"  

One of the riders who'd engaged in the move walked up to him, pointed across the parking lot to a faraway (as in out of earshot) group of real 1%er's, and said "They did".    

The guy immediately clammed up, mounted up and rode away.

[atadaskew]

This would never have happened in downtown LA.
 

Curious, why didn't you use the steering lock?

[chornbe]

I’ve heard of a few people in ST.net over the years regarding people messing with their bikes.  I never thought it would really ever happen to me, but I guess I was in denial.

Dear Penthouse Forum...

I guess I had it coming though.  I didn’t lock the steering, nor do I put a disc lock on the bike.  I figured I didn’t have to.  Now I know better.  My co-workers and I were theorizing that maybe someone thought the ATM machine was operational and I was blocking the way so they moved my bike.  But since there was a sign that said "ATM CLOSED" posted on the window, you would think people would figure it out.  That and there were other cars parked around there should have been clue enough!  Or maybe it was the owner of the car behind my bike moved it to spite "the bike" owner that just parks wherever.  Who really knows.  In any case, I stopped parking there and found what I think is a safer spot.  Now I make sure I lock my steering at the very least.

What would you guys done if you caught someone moving your bike or knew who moved it?

Nor were you in a valid parking spot...

In those circumstances, there's darn little argument. If anything had happened, unfortunately, insurance would have been within their rights to say "Sorry, have a nice day".

[J-Mac]

I'd get a forklift and move their car.

[chornbe]

I'd get a forklift and move their car.

Wouldn't it help to know who did it, first?  

[J-Mac]

Wouldn't it help to know who did it, first?  

The question was,

What would you guys done if you caught someone moving your bike or knew who moved it?

[chornbe]

Ok, fair enough. Doesn't really go along with his story... but it's a valid question on its own.

I honestly, sincerely and wholly doubt any of the outspoken tough guys would walk in swinging.

I'd personally dial 911 and report it as a theft. If I caught them in the act. I'm not going to jail for assault over a motorcycle.

[county]

i would say "hey, leave that bike alone"

[SLK50]

  Where I grew up an unlocked bike NOT chained to an immovable object is deemed
abandonded and would be considered fair game.

  I think you're lucky your bike was still in the same county, let alone a few feet from
where you left it.

  In the future, lock your bike, may it visibly clear that it cannot be moved and cover it,
even at work.

  No, your bike should not have been moved but man up, at least it wasn't knocked down
or run over. I've experienced both. Additionally, I've had my bike stripped of everything
that wasn't bolted to it, while a neighbor watched.

  It's just a bike.  Save the drama for the really serious stuff.

[chornbe]

  It's just a bike.  Save the drama for the really serious stuff.

Quoting for its salient awesomeness.  

[Elseanno]

Ok, fair enough. Doesn't really go along with his story... but it's a valid question on its own.

I honestly, sincerely and wholly doubt any of the outspoken tough guys would walk in swinging.

I'd personally dial 911 and report it as a theft. If I caught them in the act. I'm not going to jail for assault over a motorcycle.

Ok, I'll call you Chris.


Chris, I live in Oakland CA. It can be a rough town. There is a lot of property crime. Recently I was dining with the Mrs. when we witnessed the theft of a $2k Mountain bike from in front of the restaurant we were eating in.

We alerted the owner of the bike (who used it as his sole transportation) and I jumped in my truck as he pursued on foot. Another bystander in a mini van picked up the bike owner and followed the thief. We cornered the thief and let the bike owner beat on the thief until the thief stopped fighting and started fleeing. I then calmed the bike owner & let the ( bloody nosed ) thief go. I did stand by with a tire Iron as the thief was almost a foot taller than the bike owner.

When I returned to the restaurant the other customers & staff thanked me, as did the bike owner who declined a ride back in my truck.

I guess what I'm saying is that yes, if the situation called for it I'd go to the mat. I also agree that calling the cops is a safer and better option if it's possible. In some cases it's not or it won't fix the problem. The bike owner in my case would have been completely out of luck if we had simply called O.P.D.

Elseanno

[gradus]

I'd yell and cuss a lot.  


Why even call the police?  Is it against the law to move a bike a few feet?  I don't get the comparisons to theft.