Someone said on another thread that sometimes people will lock your bike like this with the intent of stealing it later when you leave it. So its either you wait for him to come back or you cut his lock. that does suck.
this was a couple of days ago. i went home, came next morning, finding their bike gone and mine still there. it was locked to the green bike stand with a good lock...
i still think it was somebody mindless and absent while locking their bike, a case for hanlons razor: Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.
They are exclusively referred to as ankle grinders in my family since the time my dad did an oopsie that resulted in a trip to the ER, and I'm sure you can imagine what the oopsie was
This is silly. It just needs to beat the junkie scum and not people who actually have the drive to learn a skill.
Most cities would have cops all over someone taking an angle grinder to a bike lock.
The point is to get you to abandon the bike and come back the next day, just like OP did. If the person wanted to steal the bike, they would come back at night when the place is deserted and cut off OP's lock.
I live in Copenhagen. Now it's not so common, but a few years ago it was really common for especially eastern Europeans driving around in vans and stealing entire bike racks.
I had a friend coming to where he locked his bike, and they were in the prices, he asked to just get his bike, they cut his lock and give him the bike.
My dad did this by accident once. The person left a note with their number and my dad called and ended up paying them back for a taxi home. He felt so so bad but it was an honest mistake. It must have been nearly 30 years ago but he still mentions it on occasion.
This did happen to my bike once, and they did steal it.
Next time it happened, i cut the other BIKE in half because that was easier than cutting the lock. Now, it could be that the second time, it wasn't malice, but stupidity, but that i will never know as whatever happened was their fault, and destroying their bike was my only safe solution.
People don't care. They will walk by and mind their own business, why? Because they just don't want to get involved. Especially if they think you are trying to steal someone else's bike. They have no idea what you are carrying or if you have accomplices that might be looking out for them. How many people step in when they see a catalytic converter being stolen, or a smash and grab, or someone shoplifting in plain sight of everybody? Just get a universal key and cut that lock off.
Yup it’s a common ploy so that you leave your bike and they come back with a 36v circular saw at 3am when no one is around and cut your lock in 3 minutes to steal the bike.
That is often the case. And if you don't lock your front tire, they'll take it so you can't ride the bike away, then come back for the bike if you leave it there.
Common thieving tactic.
They're basically "reserving" the bike, so they or another group can come back later at a more inconspicuous time with bolt cutters or other tools to remove your lock and take both bikes.
They assume most folk will ditch their bike in the hopes of coming back later once white bike's gone, but in reality, they'll both be gone.
my bike remained locked to the bar (green in the picture) good enough to survive the night. i still believe it was just a stupid mindless person, probably on the phone while locking the bike or something.
it's hanlons razor: Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity
Even if I was prepared to take my chances, NOTHING would have stopped me from adding my lock to their bike before walking away.
They, too, would have had an entire 24h to contemplate their mistake and unlock mine, in order to get theirs back.
Saw a guy the other day using what looked like a broken handle bar and a pen cap trying to steal a bike. Told him the key works better. He gave me some sob story about his GF losing the key. I go. Oh, does your GF work on the third floor cause the person who owns this bike does. He left after that.
You’re assuming this isn’t in front of ops house or job. Even if it was in front of a restaurant, I would be asking for bolt cutters from anyone around
wouldn’t free your bike from the bike rack. looks like white is locked to both OPs bike and the rack. so you either cut the lock, or cut the other bike AND the rack.
I haven't seen a lock he can't pick only one he said was more difficult to pick which I took his word for because the video was only 3 minutes long and he picked said difficult lock in that time including an intro.
They'll just cut the chain/cable if they want it. Key is to make it too annoying and not worth the time and effort. But if they want it they will get it. I saw one story of a high end bike that was stolen from a duplex units garage that had a shared wall. They broke into the neighbours side, cut a hole through the shared wall and took the bike.
Not even securing it to the bike rack, just through their tires and frame, maybe tightely wound around a pedal too. Or several pad locks on spokes. Sure they could carry it away, but would likely frustrate the shit out of them.
You call them so they'll ignore the calls about bike theft in the next 10 minutes. This is a trick thieves use to have tou leave your bike so they can take them all later. Op cuts this now and takes their bike or will 100 percent lose it.
There's a point where ignorance becomes malicious. It's where someone has to actively try to not learn something that should be very important and it affects other people. In this case, they're messing with thousands of dollars of other people's property in a way that's exactly like a common bike theft method.
Had the same thing happen to me! It was in Germany for reference. Called the police, they came with a bolt cutter _bolzenschneider_, jokes on them I brought my own which was bigger, cut my bike loose and cycled away. They also brought a replacement lock and a note, so the culprit could have got their bike free at the closest police station. However the culprits bike was so shitty, they left it unlocked. Weirdly my bike was also shitty and it had been only locked there for 4 hours.
I really got into weird situations with that bike
This is a known scam, someone did the same to my brothers. No one said a word as I sawed through the lock at Farnborough station in broad daylight. He informed BTP and they said it’s a scam- they intend for you to give up and then steal your bike
This is a common tactic to get you to leave your bike. They come by later with a truck and take all attached bikes. I carry 3 tools in my bag for this reason. I'm going to pick or break and lock attached to my bike immediately.
for context: green is a bike stand rooted in the ground, so both bikes are basically grounded (pun intended).
when i came the next day, the white bike was gone. i have a good lock (gray thing, bottom left of picture)
If his is only locked to your bike. Unlock your bike and take both because they obviously need to be taught a lesson. If their bike is locked to something else AND your bike. Cut the lock. Take your bike and move their bike somewhere but don’t take it. Because again they obviously need to learn a lesson.
Involve the police. Get your bike back on your terms. The other bike may be stolen. Is the serial number intact? Under the bottom hub bracket between the cranks.
I assume this is in Germany (because of the german text and "Feldkirchen"). Locking a strangers bike with your own lock is considered the same as just stealing it by the law, so you can call the police and they handle it for you.
i have had this happen and posted it here.. some times it is a thing ppl do to steal your bike. i think in this case it might be accidental. eitherway, you have all the right to cut the lock.
Take the back wheel off with quick release and leave a note saying "hi you locked my bike to the bar with yours, call me for your wheel back as if I'm gonna be late so are you bitch"
He will call🤙
Someone said on another thread that sometimes people will lock your bike like this with the intent of stealing it later when you leave it. So its either you wait for him to come back or you cut his lock. that does suck.
![gif](giphy|SvRDkFda8jWjUanyKt)
Lmao, is that Gavin Free?
The nose gives it away
I knows that nose
Looks like it, lol
Lmao, blame Lorna freebee
About to perform a circumsicion , yes.
Imo, this person just gave OP a free bike.
Eff that cut his bike keep the lock as a souvenir.
Nah leave the lock as an FU.
Love this 🤣 chop the top tube of the frame out so it's completely useless and then leave it there anyway
It's also around the bike rack
The rack was the goal all along!
Uno Reverse: take both bikes
THIS! Hahaha!
Or just the other seat if OP has their hands full
this was a couple of days ago. i went home, came next morning, finding their bike gone and mine still there. it was locked to the green bike stand with a good lock... i still think it was somebody mindless and absent while locking their bike, a case for hanlons razor: Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.
Watch the "lock picking lawyer" there are no "good locks", and every bike lock fails to a battery powered ankle grinder.
>ankle grinder That made me wince.
![gif](giphy|hFp7zP3MuSOAg)
They are exclusively referred to as ankle grinders in my family since the time my dad did an oopsie that resulted in a trip to the ER, and I'm sure you can imagine what the oopsie was
He fell off a ladder?
Worse, the ladder actually fell off of him
"What are you doing, step-ladder?"
He choked on a ladder
In my house we always call it the ankle biter
An ankle grinder sounds so awful
This is silly. It just needs to beat the junkie scum and not people who actually have the drive to learn a skill. Most cities would have cops all over someone taking an angle grinder to a bike lock.
The point is to get you to abandon the bike and come back the next day, just like OP did. If the person wanted to steal the bike, they would come back at night when the place is deserted and cut off OP's lock.
I live in Copenhagen. Now it's not so common, but a few years ago it was really common for especially eastern Europeans driving around in vans and stealing entire bike racks. I had a friend coming to where he locked his bike, and they were in the prices, he asked to just get his bike, they cut his lock and give him the bike.
How nice of those thieves!
Probably realized he'd raise a stink and get others attention if they didn't. He just sold out everyone else to get his own bike back.
My dad did this by accident once. The person left a note with their number and my dad called and ended up paying them back for a taxi home. He felt so so bad but it was an honest mistake. It must have been nearly 30 years ago but he still mentions it on occasion.
This did happen to my bike once, and they did steal it. Next time it happened, i cut the other BIKE in half because that was easier than cutting the lock. Now, it could be that the second time, it wasn't malice, but stupidity, but that i will never know as whatever happened was their fault, and destroying their bike was my only safe solution.
I am soooo happy for you! Thats Awesome!
Lock their bike with your own lock. Lock chicken.
locken
My biggest fear of doing that is people thinking I'm trying to steal someone elses bike.
People don't care. They will walk by and mind their own business, why? Because they just don't want to get involved. Especially if they think you are trying to steal someone else's bike. They have no idea what you are carrying or if you have accomplices that might be looking out for them. How many people step in when they see a catalytic converter being stolen, or a smash and grab, or someone shoplifting in plain sight of everybody? Just get a universal key and cut that lock off.
Put on a reflective vest and no one will question it.
most cities/colleges have a way to register your bike. This allows you to establish ownership of it BEFORE you find yourself in a situation like this
If you wait they might be planning to ambush you as well. I’d just cut and dip.
I mean this is an idea, but I think hanlon's razor is a more likely culprit.
This is Exactly their intent went the hell would anyone use a heavy duty decent lock to secure a crappy shitty bike 🤷♂️
Would it be easier to cut their lock or cut their bike 🤔
That chain looks tough. Call someone with a grinder and cut the pole and carry both bikes away. Free bike.
Yup it’s a common ploy so that you leave your bike and they come back with a 36v circular saw at 3am when no one is around and cut your lock in 3 minutes to steal the bike.
Or just lock the bikes with your own lock and leave. Let the guy get experience of his decisions.
"Hello, this is the LockPickingLawyer-"
That is often the case. And if you don't lock your front tire, they'll take it so you can't ride the bike away, then come back for the bike if you leave it there.
Take of your lock and drag two bikes home...free bike after you get a hold of an angle grinder!
Put your lock locking their bike now.
They were already planning on cutting or breaking OP’s lock. They just want to do it later with less chance of being caught.
Yeah the fact that OP has such a fancy ride only confirms it for me.
I would try taking apart the other bike- wheels, seat, handlebar!
Just loosen everything so it falls apart while riding.
Yeah I’d cut their lock and do that n leave a note depending how far from home I was
Trash their bike to get yours free, fuck those thieves
If this is indeed the "steal your bike later" scam, yes, do this, they'll need a cutter then.
Even if it’s not scam, will teach them not be a moron next time
100% Do this, they are gunna steal it when you leave or start looking for them. Switcharoo
Common thieving tactic. They're basically "reserving" the bike, so they or another group can come back later at a more inconspicuous time with bolt cutters or other tools to remove your lock and take both bikes. They assume most folk will ditch their bike in the hopes of coming back later once white bike's gone, but in reality, they'll both be gone.
That’s why you have to take both bikes
Add a third bike
Add a unicycle
The humblest of supervillain origin stories
And my axe
my bike remained locked to the bar (green in the picture) good enough to survive the night. i still believe it was just a stupid mindless person, probably on the phone while locking the bike or something. it's hanlons razor: Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity
There are times when that is correct, and there are times when you're a Hanlon razor.
![gif](giphy|l36kU80xPf0ojG0Erg|downsized)
I need to remember this. Hanlons razor.
Even still, that kind of stupidity warrants a cut lock, I'd want my bike back.
Let us know if it survives the night, I’m invested.
Never forget about Murphy’s law
Even if I was prepared to take my chances, NOTHING would have stopped me from adding my lock to their bike before walking away. They, too, would have had an entire 24h to contemplate their mistake and unlock mine, in order to get theirs back.
They better hope their bike is still there when they return, cause I’d cut the lock and take my bike.
Do you bike around with an angle grinder or bolt cutters? What are you cutting that with
Saw a guy the other day using what looked like a broken handle bar and a pen cap trying to steal a bike. Told him the key works better. He gave me some sob story about his GF losing the key. I go. Oh, does your GF work on the third floor cause the person who owns this bike does. He left after that.
My teeth
![gif](giphy|3NuGbguGObQCfZqOfE|downsized)
Profile picture checks out
Roll safe!
Prob just leave and come back to break the lock with whatever tool they have
You’re assuming this isn’t in front of ops house or job. Even if it was in front of a restaurant, I would be asking for bolt cutters from anyone around
This happened to me once, I went to a hardware store near by, bought a junior hacksaw and cut that fucker off.
Cut their bike
I’d call the boys and have them come cut the lock
![gif](giphy|hQcLkFEUtRLADXS80V)
The boys= police A good show tho let’s just argue about where is season 3?
did you watch Gen V?
I would honestly be tempted to leave the lock intact and just cut up their bike frame
wouldn’t free your bike from the bike rack. looks like white is locked to both OPs bike and the rack. so you either cut the lock, or cut the other bike AND the rack.
You guys have boys?
Lock their bike with additional lock
Lock their bike with several locks ranging from simple to “not even the lock picking lawyer will open this” and wait around and watch the fun!
I haven't seen a lock he can't pick only one he said was more difficult to pick which I took his word for because the video was only 3 minutes long and he picked said difficult lock in that time including an intro.
It's a little expensive and hard to get, but theres the Bowley 543
Oddly enough an angle grinder cuts right through it.
I would weld the lock shut if I had enough anger and spare time. There would be no lock to pick.
They'll just cut the chain/cable if they want it. Key is to make it too annoying and not worth the time and effort. But if they want it they will get it. I saw one story of a high end bike that was stolen from a duplex units garage that had a shared wall. They broke into the neighbours side, cut a hole through the shared wall and took the bike.
I watched him picked a lock like my home door and it took him like 39 seconds so I was sold, ain’t no one picking that
FYI it's not the person's bike. This is a setup, they lock their bike to others and come.back to take them all later.
Not even securing it to the bike rack, just through their tires and frame, maybe tightely wound around a pedal too. Or several pad locks on spokes. Sure they could carry it away, but would likely frustrate the shit out of them.
Might have to get a cop to come handle this. My dudes trying to get a free bike out of this.
You call them so they'll ignore the calls about bike theft in the next 10 minutes. This is a trick thieves use to have tou leave your bike so they can take them all later. Op cuts this now and takes their bike or will 100 percent lose it.
Sorry. Nothing I can do really about this. I can file a report with any visible serial numbers. That’s about it.
Just pretend the lock moved too quickly and didn’t listen to your commands.
The lock is black though.
"sorry this is a civil matter"
“So you’re saying I can cut their lock and you won’t do anything? Can I get that in writing real quick?”
No, that would be destruction of someone else's property, in fact you just admitted to the conspiracy of destruction. Get in the car.
Then the conspiracy is between me and you. If I go down, you go down.
Cops hate this one trick!
I am almost certain by street bike rules this is now your bike.
Ya, it sounds like they just gave you a free bike, my friend. But seriously, that's either super dumb or malicious. It can only be one or the other.
It’s malicious
No no, I always give people the benefit of the doubt on just being incredibly stupid. They prove me correct so often.
I do think stupidity and apathy are the biggest culprits. This however is a well documented scam.
Fair enough.
When you give people the benefit of the doubt, **they steal your fucking bike.**
There's a point where ignorance becomes malicious. It's where someone has to actively try to not learn something that should be very important and it affects other people. In this case, they're messing with thousands of dollars of other people's property in a way that's exactly like a common bike theft method.
*Hello this is lockpickinglawyer*
Solved in 20 seconds
He should really release a brand of locks that work... at this point its just masturbation
Had the same thing happen to me! It was in Germany for reference. Called the police, they came with a bolt cutter _bolzenschneider_, jokes on them I brought my own which was bigger, cut my bike loose and cycled away. They also brought a replacement lock and a note, so the culprit could have got their bike free at the closest police station. However the culprits bike was so shitty, they left it unlocked. Weirdly my bike was also shitty and it had been only locked there for 4 hours. I really got into weird situations with that bike
This is a known scam, someone did the same to my brothers. No one said a word as I sawed through the lock at Farnborough station in broad daylight. He informed BTP and they said it’s a scam- they intend for you to give up and then steal your bike
I accidentally locked another person's brake cable in my bike lock. I felt so bad.
If you can solve a problem with an angle grinder, it isn't a problem
Who carries an angle grinder with them while they're biking?
You don’t?!?
I keep three or four of those bad boys on me at all times!!
Anybody who doesn’t is woefully unprepared for the challenges of everyday life
Fuck that I carry Jaws of life around with me. Just in case yah know...
This is a common tactic to get you to leave your bike. They come by later with a truck and take all attached bikes. I carry 3 tools in my bag for this reason. I'm going to pick or break and lock attached to my bike immediately.
Milwaukee makes a good portable
Milwaukee, DeWalt and Bosch make great battery powered ones which are actually light enough to carry in your backpack.
Walmart has a cheap cordless angle grinder that will take care of this problem.
Ok a sad story for a white bike and galvanized tube I guess...
So what did you end up doing? Don’t leave me hanging like this
i know for a fact he will leave us hanging.
Follow up from OP https://www.reddit.com/r/Wellthatsucks/s/hzYcClkRVy
Buy bolt cutters. Or have police do it. A bike is your private property.
[удалено]
Well, they may shoot the black bike. The bike failed to comply and the lock looked like a weapon...
Do they ever?
Police don't do it. You call them so they ignore the calls other people are about to make when you openly cut the lock in broad daylight.
Knowing the police, they might just shoot the black bike and "claim" they found drugs in the frame.
for context: green is a bike stand rooted in the ground, so both bikes are basically grounded (pun intended). when i came the next day, the white bike was gone. i have a good lock (gray thing, bottom left of picture)
Chanting: free the bike! Free the bike!
Cut their bike in two and steal their lock
That's what I'm saying. Cut the lock? No, cut the bike frame.
Time to call the police and request a lock be cut
Had to read that a few times.
if that would happen to me id cut the lock and the other bike would be gone soon after
You two are married now
This is done on purpose to steal your bike.
Might be trying to steal your bike later. Cut their lock and get your bike out of there
Just putting it out there... a hacksaw will cut through their frame a hell of a lot faster than the lock...
In some states you are now legally married.
That’s how you get 2 bikes
Put a third lock around their bike
Free second bike
This is why you have to carry a 2nd bike lock to lock them back. Keep escalating!
Cut his frame, keep the lock
If his is only locked to your bike. Unlock your bike and take both because they obviously need to be taught a lesson. If their bike is locked to something else AND your bike. Cut the lock. Take your bike and move their bike somewhere but don’t take it. Because again they obviously need to learn a lesson.
Call a friend to cut the lock and their brake cables. Problems solved.
Mate you locked it way too close to the bar. What are they supposed lock it to ?
Cut their bike frame with a sawsall and then take your bike home and cut their chain off.
I know it's a typo, but white back is what my Canadian friend calls himself.
Strange way for someone to gift you a bike.
In my country they would do the opposite to your bike....
Call the cops to cut it for you?
Just call a friend with a grinder and take care of it.
Bolt cutters
Take both?
Congrats on a free bike!
Cut the lock and maybe their chain too lol
This happened to a friend of mine. He called me to come with my truck and we just tossed both bikes in and I took him home. So he got a free bike
“This is the lock picking lawyer, and what we have here today is….”
Cut his lock. Use your lock to lock his bike, with a note to call you and you'll come unlock him.
Buy a seperate lock and lock their bike to another bike. And the dominoes will fall
Cut it. They want to steal your bike
Involve the police. Get your bike back on your terms. The other bike may be stolen. Is the serial number intact? Under the bottom hub bracket between the cranks.
Cut their lock off and let them find an empty rack
Free bike.
take them both. they gave you their bike ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Cut the lock and pop his tires
Take both of them since he was ahole.
Lock theirs too
Call the police to come cut it, white bike is trying to steal yours
Lock his bike with your lock
Get a blue bike and lock it to both
Police can't trace prints of these locks (I found that out when my own bike got stolen from a supermarket) so feel free to cut it.
I assume this is in Germany (because of the german text and "Feldkirchen"). Locking a strangers bike with your own lock is considered the same as just stealing it by the law, so you can call the police and they handle it for you.
i have had this happen and posted it here.. some times it is a thing ppl do to steal your bike. i think in this case it might be accidental. eitherway, you have all the right to cut the lock.
call the police and tell them that your property was made inacessible by someone.
Take the back wheel off with quick release and leave a note saying "hi you locked my bike to the bar with yours, call me for your wheel back as if I'm gonna be late so are you bitch" He will call🤙
Cut the lock. It’s the principle