you may have seen this

[Flying Kiwi]

however what? if they had turned on you

There were lots of people around and I was suprised noone else had already asked them. I think they would have been much more likely to just run off than create a scene and cause a fight (which all takes time and would more likely result in them being aprehended by the Police). I used to work in the capacity of public enemy no 1... a parking attendant so I'm 'experienced' at dealing with aggressive confrontations. The owner said he was glad I'd asked as he was thinking if it was actually a thief stealing it, how easy it would have been.

 

[nigel]

Nigel

BY flying kiwi

There were lots of people around and I was suprised noone else had already asked them. I think they would have been much more likely to just run off than create a scene and cause a fight (which all takes time and would more likely result in them being aprehended by the Police
Quite often people will turn the other way when there is trouble or cross the road its always a risk to confront a group but in your case it paid off but if those two had been on drugs that could have been much more danger for you quite often certain drugs can make these people much more difficult to deal with.nigel.southampton.

 

[Flying Kiwi]

if those two had been on drugs that could have been much more danger for you quite often certain drugs can make these people much more difficult to deal with

Agreed, fortunately that wasn't often something I encountered in my past life as a PA. I guess being 6' 5" and over 100 kg has it's advantages along with efforts to be careful about not unduely provoking people

I noticed that the PA's who did suffer the most physical aggro were those who were most easily provoked themselves and 'reacted' towards the provocation.

 

[IzzyB]

Can't believe I actually witnessed someone last night nicking a pushbike using the long-handled wirecutters method, just as per the YouTube video clip - although this one was under cover of darkness, but on a busy junction. He just walked up to the bike, clipped through the wire, and nonchalantly rode off. Unfortunately I was in my car at traffic lights facing in the opp direction and unable to react quickly enough. By the time I'd opened my window he was off. But at least I was able to report it to the police for what it's worth. If I hadn't watched that clip I probably wouldn't have noticed at all.

All a bit worrying as I'm about to get my new (to me) bike this weekend. Think I'll be splashing out on an decent D-lock as well as a chain - this is South London we're talking about. Anyone any suggestions/recommendations for good quality locks and insurance packages?

Isobel

 

[MaryinScotland]

Isobel, re locking: I always use both a cable and a dee lock on my bike. My feeling is that you'll never stop the professional thief who wants your bike, but you can deter the opportunist by making your bike a bit harder to take than the one parked next to it.
Mary

 

[electric.mike]

Isobel
as i said before no matter how good a lock is it must meet your insurance spec so i would say sort an insurance out first and see what they require.
try this page it should get you a quote and a list of locks Cycleguard - Insuring the UK's cyclists - bicycle insurance you will be wasting your insurance money if you dont buy a insurance recomended lock.
mike

 

[flecc]

Bit on the BBC London TV News last night about new cycle stands in Central London, they're just what's needed. As well as the usual inverted U steel tube to lock to, the uprights have thick plastic sleeved heavy chain welded to them, far too thick for bolt cutters. You just bring forward the two chain ends on an upright through a wheel and the frame and use you own lock. Obviously all you need is a strong and short D lock or really tough large padlock. I couldn't see if the chain pairs were on both uprights so both ends/wheels of the bike can be locked, but think they are likely to be.

Let's hope other local authorities follow suit, it's a real thief beater. Only an angle grinder could do the trick, and using them on chain is very difficult.
.

 

[coops]

Sounds ideal, I hope we get some up here too, and they're sensibly & practically located...

Did they show/say whereabouts they were to be located (in London I mean) Flecc? Or maybe they'll just replace/upgrade any existing bike stands?

Stuart.

 

[flecc]

I don't know where it was Stuart, but they are already installed and in use, a large number of them on a large, wide open pavement area. We saw a cyclist locking his bike, passing the chains through both wheel and frame and apply his lock on the outside. They'll probably be in the City or Westminster. Maybe Tim or someone else commuting in London will spot them and let us know exactly where.
.

 

[nigel]

Nigel

Hi everyone
i would reccomend everyone please lock up your bike i know sometimes we all think it will only be a few mins before we get back but i wish i had done that tonight my giant twistlite was taken to say i am gutted is a understatement i should have locked my bike i must take most of the blame for being to lazy nigel.southampton.

 

[flecc]

I'm sorry to hear that Nigel, even if you'd used the built in wheel lock it might have been enough. Did you note the frame serial number so you can report it? Keep an eye out for it as they are not that common. so if it gets used in your area you'll have a chance of spotting it.

Also, keep an eye on Ebay for Twist Lites being advertised, particualarly any ads admitting there's no charger with it.
.

 

[nigel]

nigel

thanx flecc
yes i reported it i was in the cycle shop talking to the dealer with ref 5 speed gears i saw the thief grab it but i was to slow and could not catch him i wonder what they will do when the battery runs out i hope they dont torch the bike.PS this might sound sad but i loved that bike it was the best.nigel.

 

[Flying Kiwi]

I'm very sorry to hear someone nicked your bike Nigel, especially so soon after you got it. As flecc says that frame lock is a very usefull thing when you can still keep an eye on the bike and it's not near a roadway where someone can just throw it in the back of a van or truck and drive off. They wouldn't be able to carry the bike off faster than you can run after them. I hope it's tracked down and the culprit apprehended. Southhampton is not that big (unlike London) so you may see it around if you keep an eye out for it.

 

[rsscott]

Nigel, that's terrible news. I won't say on here what I think should be done to people like that. Did you leave the key with the bike?

 

[nigel]

Nigel

HI rsscot
no i still have the key which might mean when the battery runs out they might loose intrest and dump it i hope so anyway trying to stay postive i will start saving for another bike i have conntacted 50 cycles about the ex demo torq and they will let me pay for it in 2 installments so at least thats good news nigel southampton.

 

[Beeping-Sleauty]

Sorry for your loss Nigel,

i've been there too and know that moment when your guts vanish,

is it worth ringing round the dealers of this model and explaining your interest, ask them to let you know if anyone tries to buy just the charger ?

you might also keep an eye on the ebay 'wanted' page,

regards,
beeps

 

[flecc]

As it happens Giant UK don't have any chargers until sometime in March, and a thief is unlikely to know of my site and the alternative I've made known, so an official source for one is closed at the moment.

 

[Flying Kiwi]

no i still have the key

What about the frame lock key, I presume that was left unlocked/on the bike or had the lock been removed off the bike (the thing with the bar which moves between the rear wheel spokes)? I know when I got my Twist new I needed the dealer to explain what that was because I'd never seen one before, do you know the bit I mean? Since you mention another bike, if you decide against a Torq and want another Twist (you seemed very happy with it) there's always the ready made solution of a Twist comfort with P5 already built in. When I bought mine it came with an interest free loan which lots of dealers offer. I remember seeing one that still had access to some top of the range Twist Comfort STs in London a couple of months ago, they may not have all gone yet.

 

[electric.mike]

nigel sorry to hear you have had your bike stolen i can understand the way you are feeling we had a 23ft caravan stolen of site its a totaly gutted fealing.
all i can say is go ahead with getting another one or not only have the B******s got your bike they are allso controling your life by stopping you having what you want.
you have put my pc problems into perspective for me
mike

 

[nigel]

Nigel

HI everyone
i guess it was a lesson hard learned i was just to lazy to lock the bike i dont think i will see the bike again call it a gut feeling?
I am not sure i would want it back at a later date i would expect it to be in bad condition and might need money spent on it to put it right i can see now the no1 rating everyone gave this classic bike it will be MISSED
FLYING KIWI regards key the one i have is the key that removes the battery i not sure of any other key accept for the lock KEY which was still on the bike. ref next bike it would have been always the torq because of extra speed as for those hills they were not a issue for me i did find the really steep ones most electric bikes do go up at walking speed anyway.