The Economics of Stolen Bikes

[szekely]

There are so many bike owners here. Thought you might find this of interest.

The normal bike market is pretty straightforward — supplier, middleman and buyer. The market for stolen bikes has the same roles, but different players. Here's a quick look at how it works.

The Economics Of Stealing Bikes : Planet Money : NPR

By the way, some more bikes were stolen out of a backyard the other day. This time, Fitler Square area.

Thief Type 1: "Your standard drug addict."

For a heroin addict, Ruzzal says, a "front wheel is one hit, rear wheel is two hits, and a leather seat is three to four hits."

Thief Type 2: The professional

This is the guy who "comes around in a van with an angle grinder and he steals a bike by walking up to the bike wearing a bicycle helmet and a messenger bag and he actually looks like he owns the bike."

[Colin P. Varga]

I knew a guy from the Netherlands who when visiting Germany was asked by the border guard for the purpose of his visit responded, "To get back my father's bicycle."

(When the Nazi Army retreated from the Netherlands they took people's bicycles.)