Success story from Brick Lane Market - A play in three acts

The only reason to steal the bike is to sell it to someone. The people buying are more 'average guy in the street' than the guy actively stealing the bike to sell it. Make the recipient of stolen goods feel like a criminal, I bet you reduce the demand more than trying to nick all the stolen bike sellers in London (who by the way, the police don't give a fuck about compared to rapes, murders, violent crime etc.).

Just seemed like a lower risk, more effective way of getting the bike back. But if you're up for a ruck with a gang of East London hoodies, then that's your perogative.

no one is going to stop buying stolen bikes because a few kids off a message board went and go their bikes back. i'd rather actual 'criminals' were getting caught, or caught out or whatever rather than people mistakenly buying stolen bikes.

i know OP is saying that the dude was a bit of a dick etc but i think asking him to split it is pretty harsh.