Clybourn Metra station bike thefts
I feel obligated to post this, to warn others who might take the Metra from the Clybourn station and think about taking any shortcuts with locking their bikes...
I've been parking my bike there during the day for less than two months, and had the rack stolen off my bike (it was bolted on, no quick releases to make it easy) and today was the second time that the person parked next to me had their rear wheel (unlocked, quick release skewer) stolen. The other time someone's wheel was stolen someone also tried to steal one of mine (the front skewer was undone) but apparently after doing that they realized it was locked with a u-lock so they weren't able to steal it. I've also seen other bikes that might be getting their wheels stolen, but since they weren't parked right next to mine, it's possible the rider just took it with them for safekeeping.
Anyway it seems to me that the thieves are targeting the easy stuff - unsecured items with quick releases. The person next to me today who had her wheel stolen had the frame and front wheel secured with only a basic cable lock, so the thief just took what was easy to grab and go.
So, if you lock your bike there, take the extra time to secure anything that's removable. My personal strategy (after my rack was stolen and I realized that it was only a matter of time before my bike disappeared) was to get a cheap used bike to use for my commute, as opposed to using my normal commuter which I actually like and don't want stolen or messed with again. But I still use a good u-lock and a cable lock that I run through my seat, rack and rear wheel (which also doesn't have a quick release). So far so good, except for the unobservant thief who tried to steal my locked front wheel.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Eric on -
Hey Lauren, I have a question...are your skewers bolt on like the On Guard ones or the ones they sell at REI? I have been thinking about going with skewers, but feel more like getting the keyed ones instead.
Thanks
Eric
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Permalink Reply by Lauren on -
Eric,
My current rear skewer isn't quick release because the bike is a really old mountain bike, and that's what it came with. I did used to use locking skewers (I think it was the On Guard brand) but stopped after one got a little stripped so my wheel would rub on the brake pad, and it also became a little annoying having them, since, for example, if I took my bike to the shop, I had to remember to leave the key for the skewer. Also, I always lock both my wheels (front with a u-lock, rear with a cable lock) so the locking skewers were probably overkill anyway.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin C on -
Truthfully, locking skewers don't seem to be much of a deterrent to bike theft. The volume thieves don't ever intend to change a flat tire on the bike, they intend to flip it to some schmuck who won't be able to fix their flat tire. The only ones inconvenienced or daunted by locking skewers seem to be the owners. Make sure you have a lock on each wheel and leave it at that.
Lauren said:
Eric,
My current rear skewer isn't quick release because the bike is a really old mountain bike, and that's what it came with. I did used to use locking skewers (I think it was the On Guard brand) but stopped after one got a little stripped so my wheel would rub on the brake pad, and it also became a little annoying having them, since, for example, if I took my bike to the shop, I had to remember to leave the key for the skewer. Also, I always lock both my wheels (front with a u-lock, rear with a cable lock) so the locking skewers were probably overkill anyway.
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Permalink Reply by h' 1.0 on -
Lauren, sorry you have to put up with this crap.
There's a guy who lives under the Kennedy (Webster underpass) that's known to "collect" anything he can remove from a bike.
I don't think it would be allowed to post his name here, but you might want to get a few friends and go a-knocking at his lair to see if you can work out some sort of exchange for your stuff. Maybe bring a plate of fresh cookies?
Here's a news clip about someone who lives under the Kennedy at Webster which you may find interesting-- click on it to view full size, or better yet, save it to your computer:
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Permalink Reply by Lauren on
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Just wanted to give an update on these continuing attempted thefts at the Clybourn station...
Yesterday someone tried to cut my cable lock (which secures my seat, rear wheel, rack and water bottle cage). They got through the outer rubber covering and partway through the inner metal part. I'm not sure if they stopped because they realized then that the bike was actually locked with a u-lock, so cutting the cable wouldn't help, or because they ran out of time to finish cutting and only intended to steal parts of the bike, not the whole thing.
Anyway, I'm now moving to securing my bike with two u-locks, plus a new cable (since I don't think my u-locks work to go all the way through the wheel and rack, and still lock to the frame, and a u-lock definitely won't fit through the rails on my saddle). I'm also going to get a locking seatpost clamp, since the cable obviously isn't secure enough on its own. So maybe with two u-locks it will deter the dumb thieves who (I think) haven't realized my bike was already secured with a u-lock, or at least with three locks total, plus a locked seatpost, I'll make my bike way harder (meaning takes more time, I recognize that all these things can still be defeated) to steal than anyone else's.
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Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on -
I analyzed the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry data and found that the Clybourn Metra Station was the most reported location for bike theft in the registry.
Other Metra stations made it in the top 10.
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Permalink Reply by Lauren on
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Yeah, I made the decision to "invest" in a cheap used bike after I skimmed through the registry data and saw how many thefts were at that station.
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Permalink Reply by Christine H on
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Unfortunately my bike was stolen yesterday while parked at the Clybourn metra station. I thought that since they installed a nicer bike parking area it might be safer than it has in the past. How wrong I was! Sawed right through the U-lock. Anyway, I remembered posts here on the chainlink about Clybourn metra thefts. Has anyone recovered a bike that was stolen here? Can anyone out there give me any tips? I filed a police report and will post on the stolen bike registry tonight.
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Permalink Reply by h' 1.0 on
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Thieves usually try to move stolen goods quickly. My tip is to file a report with the Chicago Stolen Bicycle Registry now, not tonight. If any info's not available it can be updated later.
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Permalink Reply by clp on -
I've avoided that new covered bike parking area. Too tucked away, where someone could work with a saw or cutters, and be completely alone and unobserved during long periods of the day when no trains are arriving or departing. That $50 000 rack and shelter is just another complete waste of money by Metra IMO. Why don't they consult ATA or any of the many guides for building bike infrastructure, that specifically state that bike parking should be positioned in well-lighted areas and in full view of many people as possible.
Accordingly, I prefer to continue locking my bike on the racks out on the curb, right next to the busy traffic.
Christine H said:...I thought that since they installed a nicer bike parking area it might be safer...
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