http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Tag: stairwell theft - Recent Posts en Thu, 21 May 2026 23:48:57 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111&page=2#post-86389 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 18:16:54 +0000 crowriver 86389@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have installed an Abus wall anchor (approx. £40 off fleaBay) at the foot of our stair, then a couple of big heavy motorbike chains (another £20+ IIRC) attached to that. </p> <p>Can lock up to four bikes to that setup, D-lock or armoured cable lock through frame, through motorbike chain, voila. So far, so good, touch wood.</p> <p>I wouldn't leave anything expensive down there for more than a very short time mind you. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111&page=2#post-86378 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 14:40:28 +0000 paolobr 86378@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That's my thinking. I already have cables, padlocks I use, it would be nice to have something to chain the bikes to. I have found Spokes provide advice for flat-dwelling cyclists:</p> <p><a href="http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/documents/advice/spokes-tenementsflats-bike-storage-project/" rel="nofollow">http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/documents/advice/spokes-tenementsflats-bike-storage-project/</a></p> <p>A ground anchor looks the best bet. The floor is concrete so may be able to fix one in. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111&page=2#post-86356 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 13:13:05 +0000 Snowy 86356@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>In a previous flat I had the use of the under-stair cupboard, and I fixed a ground anchor to the wall inside the cupboard. I recall the anchor costing about £40 (about 15 years ago) but it was recommended by a motorcycling friend who had one.<br /> I think it probably paid for itself, as the cupboard was broken into on two occasions but the bike was not stolen.<br /> The doors and hasps/hinges on these cupboards will usually not stop a thief who has a crowbar - best you view the door as just something to conceal the bike rather than protect it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111&page=2#post-86355 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 13:10:22 +0000 Peterward2008 86355@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I had a bike helmet stolen with some mitts but the Bike was left alone. A neighbour had a bungee stolen off his folding bike.</p> <p>This was a few weeks ago. Needless to say these bikes now remain in flats overnight. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111&page=2#post-86262 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 16:13:04 +0000 paolobr 86262@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I moved into my current flat last year, and one of the selling points for me was a lockable cupboard on the ground floor, which has sufficient space for several bikes. The lock is quite basic and the doors would not stop a determined thief for long, but at the very least it keeps my bikes out of sight. I'm considering buying another bike, and spending some money on it, so am looking at better security. I've considered a bike cage, but they're expensive, and may not fit in the cupboard. An option would be a ground anchor and hefty cable(s), such as:</p> <p><a href="http://securityforbikes.com/torc-ground-anchor.php" rel="nofollow">http://securityforbikes.com/torc-ground-anchor.php</a></p> <p>Any experiences, advice on options? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-86256 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:00:39 +0000 tammytroot 86256@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>thieves cut through my neighbours fairly substantial cable lock at the weekend. Fortunately must have been distubed as the bike was still there!<br /> Seeing as we have been victims before, and I was away on business at the weekend, my wife moved all our bikes into the flat which now resembles a used bike showroom and is impossible to navigate. Might be forced to sell a couple of the bikes! n-1?? :( </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-81459 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:57:35 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 81459@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<em>A lot of curious minorities cluster here.</em>"</p> <p>But we're all human beings.... Awwwww.... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-81447 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:11:09 +0000 earthowned 81447@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>*waves* Hi Robert - it's only just struck me that if you're sat at your desk right now you must be literally about 10m from me (albeit at an oblique vertical angle). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-81444 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 15:55:35 +0000 chdot 81444@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"UoE seems to be disproportionately represented on this forum"</p> <p>A lot of curious minorities cluster here. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-81442 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 15:47:53 +0000 Roibeard 81442@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>*waves* Hi Theo - UoE seems to be disproportionately represented on this forum...</p> <p>Robert </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-81426 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 13:26:59 +0000 Uberuce 81426@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Nah, the lighting and angle really brought out their contours. Good job, EEN photo person! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-81421 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 13:04:54 +0000 earthowned 81421@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/edinburgh/stolen-bike-wheels-returned-after-theft-reported-in-evening-news-1-2468284" rel="nofollow">http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/edinburgh/stolen-bike-wheels-returned-after-theft-reported-in-evening-news-1-2468284</a></p> <p>Ye gads, that's a terrible pic of my double chins! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-81232 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 10:50:35 +0000 crowriver 81232@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The power of the Evening News, eh? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-81215 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 10:02:20 +0000 earthowned 81215@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm pleased to report that this particular episode had a happy strange ending.</p> <p>This morning I woke to find a pile of wheels stacked outside our tenement. The thief had a change of heart and returned their ill-gotten gains.</p> <p>I'm very grateful that they returned the wheels, but a little bemused as to why bother steal them in the first place. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-81130 Mon, 13 Aug 2012 14:02:37 +0000 cb 81130@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-news/top-stories/on-street-bike-shed-plan-to-beat-thieves-1-2464960">http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-news/top-stories/on-street-bike-shed-plan-to-beat-thieves-1-2464960</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-81006 Sat, 11 Aug 2012 00:04:34 +0000 Tulyar 81006@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A good lock for remote release is the CISA - the ones with the red button that go clunk and pull back a mortise bolt which is then fired back in again when the door closes, by the cam system in the upper part of the lock. The button is optional and it can be electrically operated from a remote switch and a switch by the door. Basic CISA locks cost over £100 and you use standard 'yale' barrel to operate from outside - or entry system (usually it is sensible to have manual override in case of a power cut - use high security barrel with controlled key system). </p> <p>Very clever system uses stored energy from the spring that is preloaded by the cam when the door closes. Red button is direct mechanical release, electrical release is low energy solenoid that triggers the stored energy spring.</p> <p>Very frustrating is the heavily sprung door which has to he held whilst the bike comes in - hence big pedal marks on door frame/edge/wall. Option is 12V/24V door holding magnet (used for fire doors that release when alarm goes off. Open door and activate (light) timer switch which turns on magnet. Magnet holds door whilst timer runs to let you get bike/pram/shopping in, then releases.</p> <p>Other detail, given that thefts tend to happen at certain times may be to have a timer operated additional security - for example a magnet plate which is active between 00.00 and 06.00 and during the day if necessary and a simple remote operated power socket to control it - everyone gets a remote control to operate the switch. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-81005 Fri, 10 Aug 2012 23:36:08 +0000 SRD 81005@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Worth noting that there are cyclists who work for the EEN and the Scotsman. But, we've often wondered (and perhaps<br /> David-Hack could enlighten us), how much the omnipresent car adverts affect the paper's stance? </p> <p>Of course 'we' know that most cyclists also drive, but that's perhaps not the public perception. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-80992 Fri, 10 Aug 2012 19:44:12 +0000 David - Hack 80992@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hi barnton-to-town, Im pleased to say that particular story pre-dated my time on the newspaper but acknowledge that (in my view) it was a sorry excuse for a page lead story.</p> <p>Conversely, on many occasions we have exposed lunatic drivers who've mow down cyclists and supported various council provisions for greater expenditure on ensuring cycle safety. These things are expected, of course, and often go unnoticed which is the way of things.</p> <p>There were cycling initiatives we had in the pipeline until we learned the council was (honorably) already full steam ahead with many of them. Felt limp to launch a campaign on something they were already gung-ho with.</p> <p>No excuses the story you highlighted but it's a difficult time for local journalism and much easier to lose readers with an ill-advised headline or skewed page lead than it is to attract new readers with award-winning reporting (as we have achieved every year at the Scottish Press Awards).</p> <p>Re this topic, have spoken to police, council and been trying to get back in touch with earthowned to get something into the paper on Monday. </p> <p>Police have provided some advice but not sure this is an ideal topic for newspaper campaign. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-80879 Thu, 09 Aug 2012 21:20:07 +0000 chdot 80879@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Aberdeen man drowns"</p> <p>Other variations are available! -</p> <p>"<a href="http://www.kincardineshireobserver.co.uk/community/titanic-exhibition-1-2218093">Folklore has it that the headline in a local daily newspaper when reporting the sinking of the Titanic was: “North East Man Drowns at Sea</a>"</p> <p><a href="http://www.google.co.uk/search?client=safari&amp;rls=en&amp;q=Aberdeen+man+drowns+titanic">MORE</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-80878 Thu, 09 Aug 2012 21:18:14 +0000 steveo 80878@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I thought it was "Local man dies in boating accident" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-80876 Thu, 09 Aug 2012 21:00:15 +0000 gembo 80876@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I thought EEN were considering a more pro cyclist stance? Would be nice. I used to collect the headlines which had the word fury in them, eg,Fury at bike thieves in Bellevue. Quite common. Would be nice if there was less fury.</p> <p>Aberdeen man drowns</p> <p>Was supposed to be the P&amp; J headline on the sinking of the titanic? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-80873 Thu, 09 Aug 2012 20:28:57 +0000 barnton-to-town 80873@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>David - Hack</p> <p>Would be great if there was somehow a chance that this was an EEN "campaign" to protect cyclists. But it won't be; it'll be to highlight that there are thieves about (always has been) and to vilify the council and/or the police for not doing enough.</p> <p>My favourite (It's an old one, but still contemporary) example of EEN reporting a cycling story comes under this headline;<br /> <a href="http://www.scotsman.com/news/more-than-30-cyclists-caught-drunk-behind-the-handlebars-1-1280129" rel="nofollow">http://www.scotsman.com/news/more-than-30-cyclists-caught-drunk-behind-the-handlebars-1-1280129</a></p> <p>"MORE THAN 30 CYCLISTS CAUGHT DRUNK" (in five years, ssshhh) while hidden away in the body of the story is the fact that in ONE year, 1436 DRIVERS were charged for drink driving.</p> <p>We don't need the EEN to start a campaign to stop the thieves; we need someone to stop the EEN stirring up anti-cyclist feeling in the city, which actually endangers our lives.</p> <p>EEN is about as negative a nimby paper there's ever been. I hope your career takes a turn for the better elsewhere. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-80870 Thu, 09 Aug 2012 19:00:49 +0000 LivM 80870@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I had a spate a couple of years ago when someone was repeatedly nicking small bits from my bikes (when they were locked up in the stair) - handlebar grips, QR skewer, stem cap, rear reflector, saddle / seatpost, etc. I always locked both front and rear wheels, and saddles (once the first had been nicked), but eventually I gave up and found homes dispersed around my flat for all. I guessed that it was someone in the stair who was annoyed at my bikes being in the common stair, as the parts weren't really what I thought would be valuable to others. Just petty theft. Police not really interested (nothing they could do). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-80869 Thu, 09 Aug 2012 18:50:42 +0000 Uberuce 80869@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>For want of a better word, I was inspired by your fortune-within-a-misfortune to chain my bikes together in the flat when I went on my holiday. It wasn't that your stuff was nailed down, it's just that it'd look and sound suspicious as hell for far too long to be worth the risk.</p> <p>I'm two floors up, so presumably a thieving swine would be coming in the door; one bike being wheeled downstairs is nothing special even if you did see it, but three chained together, even if it was within junkie wraith physical capabilities, must make a hell of a racket. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-80861 Thu, 09 Aug 2012 17:00:06 +0000 kaputnik 80861@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>City centre heroin addict two man crews tend to eschew bike thievery in favour of the "get in quick, grab shiny laptops and out again quick" jobs in student dominated tenements.</em></p> <p>My ground floor flat was broken into and turned over by someone matching this sort of "occupation" in life. Left everything apart from a small (cheap) digital camera and a duffel coat(!). Also left his daysaver bus ticket, which coupled with the CCTV of him coming back into his hostel wearing my coat lead to his arrest and prosecution. Been at Her Majesty's pleasure ever since...</p> <p>All bikes and bike stuff were left, but guess it wouldn't be easy getting them out through a window and over a series of garden walls. Fortunately when front door locked from the outside on the deadbolt, it won't open from the inside. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-80853 Thu, 09 Aug 2012 15:25:45 +0000 minus six 80853@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>City centre heroin addict two man crews tend to eschew bike thievery in favour of the "get in quick, grab shiny laptops and out again quick" jobs in student dominated tenements.</p> <p>Getting in beyond a yale secured door is a breeze, and first year students typically haven't wised up to routinely using the mortise bolt locks yet.</p> <p>Never rely on a yale. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-80846 Thu, 09 Aug 2012 14:13:04 +0000 holisticglint 80846@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@SRD <em>I've never heard of parts being stolen though! </em></p> <p>I have only had parts stolen over about 15 years<br /> -- Front wheel outside George Sq. library<br /> -- Saddle in KB<br /> -- Bell (BELL!) on the Pleasance</p> <p>if this tend continues the next theft will be rust flakes from my pedals... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-80835 Thu, 09 Aug 2012 13:14:38 +0000 crowriver 80835@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I had a spate of thefts of small parts from the bikes or attempts at such a while back. Eventually figured out someone was kicking in the stairwell door around 11.30pm to make a recce, then returning the next day. Actually spotted him one evening, ran after him and angrily confronted the guy in the street!</p> <p>Haven't had any issues since (touch wood). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-80834 Thu, 09 Aug 2012 13:07:02 +0000 SRD 80834@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've never heard of parts being stolen though! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8111#post-80825 Thu, 09 Aug 2012 12:15:55 +0000 tammytroot 80825@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>My sympathies, It's a perenial problem I'm afraid and I share the fustration about tenement doors being left open. Not only have we had bikes nicked, but being just round the corner from a pub the stairwell gets used as a toilet as well. Unfortunately some of the neighbours are a bit lax since the bike secuity is not an issue for non-cyclists. We have 4 cyclists in the household and only room for 2 bikes in the hall so the other 2 bikes have to live in the stairwell. These thefts seem to be cyclical (no pun intended) and after a few days the miscreants move on to pastures new. </p>