Toulouse bike thefts

[TeamBandS]

A warning for anyone intending to go into Toulouse by bike. Friends had both their locked bike stolen whilst in Toulouse. Bikes locked at a location with many other bikes. Police said when they reported the thefts that they are getting around 12 a day stolen at the moment.

 

[Mixyblob]

We had our brand new ebikes stolen from outside Decathlon in Toulouse in April. They were locked to a proper bike park in full view of a CCTV camera. We were in the shop about 20 mins. The police refused to check the camera footage as they said the scrotes would be wearing hoodies and covid masks, plus they didn't have the time, they get around 20 bike thefts reported a day.
Our insurance paid up in full but all the hastle was a pain in the butt, especially as our van was being repaired at the time and our bikes were our only form of transport.

 

[TinaLes]

I feel for you all, sorry to hear this news about bike thefts in Toulouse, but its everywhere these days, and not a lot we can do about it.
That's the scariest thing about E Bike or any expensive bike ownership, we buy expensive HD locks, remove key, or even the whole battery, but you cant stop worrying about leaving them anywhere.
We used to leave one of us with the bikes, whilst the other one did the shopping, but not possible now there is only one of us still capable of riding them.
I know they are insured, but we all know how future premiums can be affected by making a claim across all our vehicle insurances "Have made any claims in the last 5 years" etc, plus the gut wrenching anger & feeling of loss.

I wish I had taken a picture now, but up the road from us is a padlocked front wheel of a bike outside the local Sainsburys, the scroats had obviously nicked the bike leaving just the wheel, gone is seconds apparently
LES

 

[PaddyM]

We use FIVE locks every time we leave the bikes and each bike has an alarm ( motion sensor, first blast is a warning second is deafening .)
Always attach to solid street furniture , 3 D locks , two big chains ( both wearable ) and then near invisible lockable zip ties to secure the saddles and immobilize the removable front wheels .
If they are nicked after that lot then fair enough , in all seriousness we are just hoping they go to an easier target , sad but true .

 

[Ernesto]

I wish I had taken a picture now, but up the road from us is a padlocked front wheel of a bike outside the local Sainsburys, the scroats had obviously nicked the bike leaving just the wheel, gone is seconds apparently
LES

Its a sad fact of life these days, but putting a bike lock through the front wheel is a bit of a numpty mistake to make. They should always lock through the frame and try to fill the lock shackle, and keep the lock off the ground as it makes it (slightly) harder for the scrotes that do this

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[TinaLes]

Yes I agree, putting a bike lock through just the front wheel was a numpty mistake by the owner, it should always be through the frame of the bike. I guess he/she thought I will only be a minute in the shop!
Who ever the bike thief was had over a month to come back and retrieve the front wheel also, as it remained chained to the railings that long.
As for locks & chains, I don't think there is much more we can do against thieves that are tooled up with bolt cutters, even angle grinders these days, just the same with anything we own, including our Vans.
Been thinking about a Bike Alarm similar to the one listed below, but will take any funster recommendations from those that already have one.
LES

Bike Bicycle Super Loud Wireless Remote Control Anti-Theft Lock Vibration Alarm | eBay

Description:100% brand new andSimple to operate and easy to install.Wireless Vibration Alarm with infra-red remote control.Perfect to protect your shop, office, home, car, house or anywhere requiring protection.Super loud, simple, easy to theft;Short leave cycling, no longer to go locked...

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[TheMachMan]

We bought a pair of secondhand cheap but perfectly useable bikes to take to France. After attempts in Bristol to nick our nice bikes failed.

 

[Gaston aires]

Our ebikes are the older type. We always lock and shackle them and remove the batteries. Hardly worth nicking then.
Soon to be on the med so we’ll see if my theory works.
Tonight in the Rhône alps on a free aire in a village called St Laurent Le bastide. Lawrence the bastard to us.
Phillipe Le Bon.

 

[Ernesto]

Yes I agree, putting a bike lock through just the front wheel was a numpty mistake by the owner, it should always be through the frame of the bike. I guess he/she thought I will only be a minute in the shop!
Who ever the bike thief was had over a month to come back and retrieve the front wheel also, as it remained chained to the railings that long.
As for locks & chains, I don't think there is much more we can do against thieves that are tooled up with bolt cutters, even angle grinders these days, just the same with anything we own, including our Vans.
Been thinking about a Bike Alarm similar to the one listed below, but will take any funster recommendations from those that already have one.
LES

Bike Bicycle Super Loud Wireless Remote Control Anti-Theft Lock Vibration Alarm | eBay

Description:100% brand new andSimple to operate and easy to install.Wireless Vibration Alarm with infra-red remote control.Perfect to protect your shop, office, home, car, house or anywhere requiring protection.Super loud, simple, easy to theft;Short leave cycling, no longer to go locked...

www.ebay.co.uk

Not sure alarms are worth it on bikes? I agree with you that leaving anything valuable is a risk these days. All you can do is choose a really good D lock (something £100 or more) from Abus or Kryptonite.

https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/best-bike-lock/

Put as much bike frame and wheel as possible through the shackle as this helps stop thieves using a bottle jack to prise it open. Equally, if you keep the lock as high off the ground as possible, they might struggle to get leverage on a pair of bolt cutters. There's not much you can do if they've got a cordless angle grinder, but these top end locks do stand up pretty well. Chains are all but useless - unless you have a massively heavy one, the links are not strong enough

 

[GAVLAD]

I once chained my bike to the lamppost in Bradford and when I came back, they’d nicked the lamppost

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[Fulham Dave]

We use FIVE locks every time we leave the bikes and each bike has an alarm ( motion sensor, first blast is a warning second is deafening .)
Always attach to solid street furniture , 3 D locks , two big chains ( both wearable ) and then near invisible lockable zip ties to secure the saddles and immobilize the removable front wheels .
If they are nicked after that lot then fair enough , in all seriousness we are just hoping they go to an easier target , sad but true .

Hi Paddy M

Could you advise which alarm you have fitted to yours please?

Thanks

Dave

 

[SIFTA SAM]

I once chained my bike to the lamppost in Bradford and when I came back, they’d nicked the lamppost

Scousers get everywhere. Anything/everything 'goes'.

 

[Mixyblob]

Not sure alarms are worth it on bikes? I agree with you that leaving anything valuable is a risk these days. All you can do is choose a really good D lock (something £100 or more) from Abus or Kryptonite.

https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/best-bike-lock/

Put as much bike frame and wheel as possible through the shackle as this helps stop thieves using a bottle jack to prise it open. Equally, if you keep the lock as high off the ground as possible, they might struggle to get leverage on a pair of bolt cutters. There's not much you can do if they've got a cordless angle grinder, but these top end locks do stand up pretty well. Chains are all but useless - unless you have a massively heavy one, the links are not strong enough

We now use an Oxford D lock which is also alarmed as well as a Kryptonite D lock.
The objective isn't necessarily to make our bikes impossible to steal, but to persuade the scrotes to move onto ones that are easier.

 

[JJ]

No one tries to nick my bike...

JJ

 

[PhilMary]

Our ebikes are the older type. We always lock and shackle them and remove the batteries. Hardly worth nicking then.
Soon to be on the med so we’ll see if my theory works.
Tonight in the Rhône alps on a free aire in a village called St Laurent Le bastide. Lawrence the bastard to us.
Phillipe Le Bon.

Gaston aires do you have details of this aire?

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[Nanniemate]

When I first had the bike I worried, but now lock it leave get on with life, its insured, and if it stops me doing what I want what is the point in having it, it could be a long walk home though, but of course the insurance covers alterative transport so..............................................

 

[jumartoo]

Bikes can be stolen from anywhere. The only time we've had them stolen was from inside our locked house within three days of us leaving for the summer.

We feel there was some "local" information passed on in this instance.

 

[Gaston aires]

Gaston aires do you have details of this aire?

Just go to St Laurent the bastide South of Le Puy en valay. There’s only one aire in the village and it’s on search for sites, Its in a beautiful area and the road south is amazing but not for the faint hearted. Quiet and peaceful only 3 vans when we were there Friday.
Phil

 

[bobnick]

Our ebikes are the older type. We always lock and shackle them and remove the batteries. Hardly worth nicking then.
Soon to be on the med so we’ll see if my theory works.
Tonight in the Rhône alps on a free aire in a village called St Laurent Le bastide. Lawrence the bastard to us.
Phillipe Le Bon.

Do you then cart the batteries around with you?? Just asking, curious.

 

[Gaston aires]

Do you then cart the batteries around with you?? Just asking, curious.

Afraid so, but they go in a back pack. It doesn’t happen much.
Phil

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[Parrot Face]

Scousers get everywhere. Anything/everything 'goes'.

Completely out of order. I did intend to report this but have concluded that someone has nicked your inteligence and integrity. I would suggest you apologise to the community of Liverpool .

 

[philann]

Got our (non-electric) bikes from the recycling centre just before we came away, 2 for £35 nothing wrong with them apart from a little bit of rust on one handlebar. Amazing really what people throw away! If anyone steals them we’ve already had our monies worth out of them!

 

[SIFTA SAM]

Completely out of order. I did intend to report this but have concluded that someone has nicked your inteligence and integrity. I would suggest you apologise to the community of Liverpool .

Someone nicked my 'smiley face'.

 

[TDub49]

Our ebikes are the older type. We always lock and shackle them and remove the batteries. Hardly worth nicking then.
Soon to be on the med so we’ll see if my theory works.
Tonight in the Rhône alps on a free aire in a village called St Laurent Le bastide. Lawrence the bastard to us.
Phillipe Le Bon.

Er, non mon ami Le Bastide refers to the town. If he was a bastard it would be Laurent Le Batard. I know, I should get out more

 

[Folkranger]

Got two carbon fibre ebikes for lightness but now I carry two Kryptonite D locks which weigh a tonne. Sometimes you just can't win.

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[PaddyM]

Hi Paddy M

Could you advise which alarm you have fitted to yours please?

Thanks

Dave

Bike Tail Light, Bright Bicycle... Amazon product ASIN B07YWV5R3K
Work a treat

 

[Nanniemate]

Got two carbon fibre ebikes for lightness but now I carry two Kryptonite D locks which weigh a tonne. Sometimes you just can't win.

yes they are heavy, but you need these to meet the insurance requirements, I use mine when on the van but have a lighter weight that I carry on the bike when out and about it is such a faff locking and unlocking it takes longer to lock it sometimes than the time spent away from it especially if you are only popping in for milk

 

[yodeli]

Le Bastide

LA Bastide is the correct name as Bastide is feminine! . As for Bâtard , I guess you don't have the right keyboard to put the little hat on the letter a
Anyway.... anyone going to Toulouse, just stop at my place, the bus is right in front of my house, and then it's just underground! Your bikes will be safe with me!
EDIT : Really sorry for all the ones who have been robbed!

 

[Folkranger]

yes they are heavy, but you need these to meet the insurance requirements, I use mine when on the van but have a lighter weight that I carry on the bike when out and about it is such a faff locking and unlocking it takes longer to lock it sometimes than the time spent away from it especially if you are only popping in for milk

Quite the opposite for me. I carry these in my Pannier bag all the time when riding. They are so easy to fit, lock and unlock. Really well designed. Wouldn't have anything lighter for bike security. I once had my bike taken in Strassburg so I know that even the best wire rope locks are useless, being only a deterrent to opportunists.

 

[PaddyM]

Hiplok Gold Wearable Chain Lock

Buy Hiplok Gold Wearable Chain Lock at Tweeks Cycles. Shop the biggest brands with confidence and enjoy rapid worldwide delivery & 365 day returns.

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This is the wearable lock , weightless when on your waist .

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