I got my stolen bike back. In Toronto, most others aren’t so lucky

The police bike registration system is inadequate so she’s urging Toronto to follow the lead of Vancouver, Windsor and other cities by partnering with 529 Garage, a free app-based registration system that sends out stolen-bike alerts.

“It uses the power of local cycling communities to look out for stolen bikes and they offer stickers to warn thieves,” the bikes are registered. “Vancouver reported a 40-per-cent drop in thefts after joining 529 Garage,” she says.

Vancouver also has a police officer dedicated to bike theft.

“As a city (Toronto) has invested a lot of money in Bike Share and in expanding the bike lane network,” Wong-Tam says. “I hate to think we’re now losing people from getting into those bike lanes because they’ve lost their bikes.”

A coworker lives in Parkdale, the house behind him is part of a large bike theft ring, he's seen hundreds of bikes in their yard while doing roofing work on his place and overheard them on multiple occasions discussing about how "there's too much heat" and how best to get rid of them all.

He's called the cops many times and they have never once sent out a single officer.

Toronto cops do not care about bike theft at all.

That’s a nice idea, but thorough crackdowns on chop shops would also help too. Lock those bums up and prosecute them. Don’t just let them back on the streets again.

I find myself pretty lucky. I've lived here for over 10 years and never had a bike stolen yet. I invested in antitheft axels, antitheft seat and always lock my bike frame and rear tire through the street post. While that won't protect you against a guy with a battery powered grindr I always lock my bike up in front of an open shop and never overnight anywhere in the city.

What really bothers me is that if you have you $1000 car stolen, the police might care.

But your $5000 bike? Tough shit.

How has the city lost control of our police? They don't seem to be serving anyone but themselves now.

Some reader feedback: “I LOVE IT when they get their bikes stolen!” https://t.co/​OPdTrXvxqG

I consider myself lucky too. Mine was stolen from the underground garage. Missing for 8 months and one day I found it on sale on Facebook marketplace close to Barrie. I had a friend message the seller, get his address, filed a report with the police once I had the address and they drove there and got my bike back for me. It felt like I had won the lottery that day!

I can assure you, as someone who removes many a bike, some of those aren't stolen so much as chained to private property or utilities and removed

I can't read the full article, but I imagine the thief returned his bike after they realized no one would ever buy such a fugly looking thing.