Stolen Bike London To The Next level

By the same token I suppose getting killed or injured is an occupational hazard that we should 'solve' ourselves? I thought we were all in this together as cyclists?
I agree that rewards are probably counter-productive but well done VB for dismissing what for me would be a financial disaster as just an occupational hazard. Nothing like another cyclist to really ruin your day. I guess I should HTFU eh?

If I were a carpenter and my tools got stolen out of the van, it would be a financial disaster as I couldn't work. So should I have insured the tools? Or if that wasn't affordable come together with other carpenters to set up a pool of spare tools to insure ourselves collectively against the risk? Or perhaps set ourselves up under a shared company to increase the income, and reduce the VAT exposure, and thus spend the savings on collectively reducing the risk? Or perhaps unionise and demand higher wages for carpenters to offset the risk? Or continuously set aside money for replacements based on the probability that I might lose my tools once every 2 years?

I've no doubt it's a tough business and cut-throat with slim rewards. But the point I'm trying to make is simply that if your income depends on the charity of someone else, then something is wrong. Charity is only sticky-tape over a problem, and it would be better for you if instead of having to rely on charity that a more resilient and reliable solution be found to either reduce the risk or insure you against the risk.

What would you do if the pot of money donated only covered 2 bikes, and 3 were stolen and yours was last? If you relied on that money, you're fucked anyway. You can't rely on charity even if it's set up, so sort something else out and make sure it works.