Stolen Bikes - Broadway market

Saw a guy there today selling a black velocity front wheel, alongside other random crap. Looked dodgy as. No way to prove it was stolen, but it looked out of place in his hands seeing as he was on a cheap old mtb.

This is my story ................ it has been shortened.

Just a couple of weeks before Christmas at 1.30 am in the pouring rain a bunch thieving addicts chored my APB and the Choppers belonging to my two daughters.

I heard the noise as all 3 (chained together) were manhandled over my garden wall.

I ran to save them, shouting for them to leave the bikes and they came for me .............. they were not scared .... they intended to shut me up on my own doorstep. I bottled it and retreated.

I didn't call the police ............ because I wanted to get the thieves on my terms.

A big big mistake ................
I visited all the local bike shops and all the local dealers and let them know to call me when my bikes surfaced.
I was warned that a very dangerous local guy was rumoured to be fencing bikes and most likely had mine.
The choppers appeared 3 days later ................... I rushed to the shop where I had been told they were offered and the owner admitted he was going to buy them off the local psychopath.

I said they were mine and I wanted them back and I would even pay a reward for their return ...........yeah he said ..good idea .......... I'll call you !!

The next morning my front door was almost kicked off the hinges and the psycho was stood on my doorstep, armed with a gun !!!!.
I talked quickly and made the right noises ...................... he eventually went away.

I could not stop shaking ................. what had I done ?? I had risked my family's safety and my life over 3 bikes ....................

DON'T do the same as me

just lock them up safely, get insurance and get over it ......... life is too precious

FUCK THAT, what a crazy mother fucker. you should have just called the coppers straight away sounds like the crackheads in your area are nutters. what area was this?

I was in New York this summer and experienced a valet bike parking system at a flea market (see this: http://www.brownstoner.com/brooklynflea/2008/07/introducingbike_valet_at_the_f.html) which was completely free - not sure how they funded it... It was set up by Transportation Alternatives you can also read about the Great Bike Valet Experiment they did. Perhaps you could set up a service for event organizers, such as the people who run broadway market (whoever that is), and get them to pay you to offer a free service?

Hey Cathrine,

Only just come back to look at this thread and this info is very helpful - thanks.

I think a scheme similar to this would work well in Broadway Market - I'll let you know if I get any further!