Hunting for my Bike in Brick Lane

Hi Guys,

I'm thinking about going to Brick Lane in the hopes of finding my stolen bike (it's listed on Gumtree with the seller in East London (reported to the police but nothing done as of yet)).

Anyway I'm not from London and not very clued up about the area so...
[INDENT]Are there any specific junctions where the sale of bikes happens?

I'm going to take a bike lock (all else fails lock the bike to something and run), proof of ownership (look this is my bike), and a side satchel with empty wallet, and other assorted non valuables (have this while I test ride the bike, queue riding off)
[/INDENT]Anything else I could do to help my chances of recovering the bike.. I haven't got any friends to come with so need to be smart about it..

Stab Vest
Running shoes.

Seriously, depending on who you find sellling it (IF you find it), assess the situation carefully as the 'vendors' are very aware and protective of their trade. Be very careful. The law is your best bet if you find it. Go find a copper, then go back. Apparently there are usually a few lurking here and there.

I always wonder why people dont just 'steal' their items back from brick lane, then when someone queries you, explain how it is rightfully yours anyway.

not that easy...

have a look at the bike theft task force thread
they have patrols working brick lane most sundays
it's worth having them along side you when you go in to recover your goods

try the two car parks on sclater street that is where stolen bikes are usually sold
there is a stall with bike components on usually the guy who runs that is as dodgy as fuck
i honest;ly don't know how he keeps turning up there every sunday with stolen bits on his counter he has interaction with the police they don't do anything and he's back there the following week with more stolen goods

SCLATER STREET where it meets BACON STREET

I'm sure it's been said here before, but...

If it's on gumtree arrange a meeting to look at the bike then inform the police of your intention. then the police just meet the bloke for you and you get your bike back.

someone else on here has done this before.

My first port of call will ofc be find a copper, but having spoke to both my local police force and the Met they both appear to not care less about the bike (cycle task force eventually rang me after I found their email address here, and are much better but hugely understaffed).

P.S Tried arranging a meeting with him but he sussed me out stright away.. Tried going to the cops (this guy isn't just selling a bike), but got nothing back from them so far (just a promise that they might help if they can get the staff).

Hi. a friend of mine was in the same situation a bout a year ago. he's a small fella, and very much " by the book"
found his bike on gumtree. rang the guy as an anonymous buyer. went to see it with proof of purchase etc ( and his girlfriend, She wears the pants)
When he got there and verified it was his, didn't say anything till he was outside the guys house. then dialled the police while he asked the thief he can have his bike back.

he rode home on his bike! :)

Hi Guys,

I hear there are hire bikes in and about London... do you know how much do these cost and if there are any near Brick Lane?...

My idea being is that I'll phone the police once it's spotted and if someone buys it in the meantime I can just follow them on the hire bike (shouldn't be buying bikes from there in the first place).

Also far less likely to get stabbed, so yay

Bethnal green road or Brick lane (ironically)

Had a similar situation with a friend's bike. Called the seller, arranged a meeting under Centre Point, a bunch of us got there early and stepped out of the shadows when the wee radge turned up and thanked him kindly for the safe return of the bike.

In the initial call to the seller, my mate established that he knew nothing about the bike, or bikes in general, and was satisfied that he was shady and it was the right bike. When we took the bike back off him, he offered my mate's a handshake in an odd sort of 'Fair cop, well played' gesture.

When we took the bike back off him, he offered my mate's a handshake in an odd sort of 'Fair cop, well played' gesture.[/QUOTE]

Man that would have pissed me off. Cheeky bastard.

Should have robbed his shoes, wallet and phone. Maximum inconveneince.

Sorry to hear that your bike has stolen. I think, scumbags usually sell bike on Sclater Street which is just next to bricklane.

If I were you and have a chance to test ride, I would have ridden back to home.
Hoply, you can have better advice and find back your bike.

good luck

Stab Vest
Running shoes.

Seriously, depending on who you find sellling it (IF you find it), assess the situation carefully as the 'vendors' are very aware and protective of their trade. Be very careful. The law is your best bet if you find it. Go find a copper, then go back. Apparently there are usually a few lurking here and there.

Think this might be better.

When we took the bike back off him, he offered my mate's a handshake in an odd sort of 'Fair cop, well played' gesture.

Man that would have pissed me off. Cheeky bastard.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, my mate was caught off guard and shook it. He was also a bit chuffed as they'd washed his bike. Think the thief was a bit intimidated and wanted to defuse the situation - he was about 5'5 and we had brought a few big units.

A few missing bikes seem to have turned up in Brick Lane Bikes recently - check the yard out back.

good luck. bring someone with you. My friend jamie had his bike taken in brick lance after he'd just gotten back from a long cycle trip. he hung out all day. saw the bike, followed the much bigger guy, saw his chance, grabbed it. The guy punched him so hard he says he saw stars but didnt let go of the bike as he knew he'd never see it again. He ended up making a movie about it. I think its still the exception rather than the rule to get your bike back - but good luck.

Do NOT try and take your bike back and do a runner, saw a guy try that with his own Brompton and was promptly chased down by 10 people swinging bike lock chains. It was like something from The Warriors.
See bike, take proof, call police as soon as you see it.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the information, I went down to Brick Lane on Sunday but unfortunately no bike... Police have also tried and failed to setup a sting.

Although it's nice to get an idea of how bad the problem is.. so not a completly wasted day.

This is my bike: http://stolen-bikes.co.uk/stolen-bikes/specialized-langster/ (and my website), so if you see it around London let me know.

Anyway this guy has sold a load of bikes so below is a excel sheet of his bikes sold that are (were) still available via Google Cache.

Excel Sheet (couldn't upload it here)

Maybe some of you will recognise them..

Thanks, John