How to Avoid Buying a Stolen Bike

Posted on by Christopher White

The COVID pandemic has sparked an unexpected problem: demand for bicycles has skyrocketed, while manufacturing supply chains have slowed to a crawl, creating an international bicycle shortage. Industry insiders predict that the shortage won’t ease until well into 2021 or even later. As it’s become harder and harder to buy a new bicycle, many people hoping to replace Muni rides with bike travel have grown frustrated, turning to Craigslist and eBay to buy a used bike.

Because bicycles can ride smoothly and safely for decades, buying used is an affordable and sustainable option. However, if buyers aren’t careful, they could unintentionally buy a bike that has been stolen. Doing so supports and incentivizes the stolen bike market, encouraging more thefts and making everyone’s bikes less safe. On the other hand, well-informed buyers who avoid stolen bikes can make bike theft less lucrative and more onerous.

So how can you avoid buying a stolen bike? You just need to be prepared to do a bit of research at the start and to ask a lot of questions.

Reviewing bike ads

As you start to look through used bike ads, compare prices of bikes similar to what you’re looking for, so that you understand the range of prices that are reasonable. This will allow you to recognize if a bike is being offered far below the market price for that bike. Stolen bikes are often sold cheaply in order to unload them quickly, and an asking price far below the market range should raise a red flag.

Other aspects of ads can help you identify suspect bikes. Stock photos copied from manufacturer websites are a bad sign — look for photos of the actual bike for sale. Be wary of ads that offer few details, or that misidentify or misspell the make or model of the bike; the seller may be trying to make it harder for the rightful owner to search for their bike. People who steal many bikes will often have a very similar structure to each of their ads (e.g. listing a few bullet points with similar info in the same order) — as you look at ads, try to recognize those patterns and avoid ads that fit them.

So what should you look for? If you were selling your beloved bike, you’d likely be thoughtful about describing it well and in detail; you may also share some information about your relationship with the bike. Look for ads that provide some context or personal history for the bike, such as how long the owner has had it or why they are choosing to sell it.

Communicating with the seller

If you have identified a bike that you’re interested in, and the ad itself doesn’t raise any alarm bells, go ahead and reach out to the seller — but continue to do your due diligence! Be prepared to ask a lot of questions, and don’t worry about asking the seller to be thorough. Reluctance to answer questions should be seen as a bad sign.

First, is the seller willing to provide some information about themselves? Naturally, people are often reluctant to provide identifying information about themselves, but at the very least a first name and phone number are reasonable to request. You can be direct and explain that asking for these details is part of your effort to make sure you’re buying from the actual owner.

Most importantly, ask for the serial number of the bike, which is a unique identifier and is often used by owners to register their bikes and to prove their ownership. (The SF Bicycle Coalition successfully lobbied Craigslist to add a serial number field on their used bike ad form, but in our experience few sellers actually use it.) A person who has stolen a bike may be reluctant to give this information, since it could prove that they are in possession of stolen goods. You may need to help the seller find the serial number, which is usually stamped directly on the underside of the frame beneath the bottom bracket, where the pedal cranks attach. 

Photo of serial number located beneath bike.

The serial number of this bike, like most, is under the bottom bracket next to the pedals.

Also ask specific questions about the bike itself and their experience with it. Try to get the seller to be as specific and detailed in their answers as possible. Useful questions include:

  • How long have you had the bike?
  • What have you primarily used it for?
  • What do you love about this bike? 
  • Why are you selling it?
  • Have you replaced any components? Please provide details.
  • Has the bike experienced any crashes or damage you should know about?

Take notes on what the seller tells you. If the seller is reluctant to provide detailed information or becomes particularly annoyed at the questions, we recommend looking elsewhere.

Meeting up in person

Finally, if your virtual exchanges have given you reasonable confidence, meet up in person to see the bike and confirm what you’ve been told. Consider meeting in a well-trafficked and lit public space, or else bring a friend with you for your own safety. When you meet the seller, check what they’ve told you against what you see on the bike; you can also ask the seller the same questions again and make sure the answers are consistent. If the bike is particularly high-end or has specialized components, ask additional questions about those details — someone who has gone to that expense and trouble likely should know a thing or two about what they’ve invested in. 

While it’s important to stay vigilant to inconsistent information or deflected questions, be thoughtful about simply “trusting your gut”. Those of us who carry various forms of privilege should be aware that unconscious bias is an ever-present challenge; markers of identity difference could trigger a vague wariness that could lead to inappropriate mistrust. You should only buy a used bike when you feel comfortable doing so, but be inquisitive with yourself about where discomfort might be arising from.

When you’re inspecting the bike, check that the serial number matches what you’ve been told. Also look for large scratches or gouges on the seat tube (the frame tube leading up to the seat) or the down tube (the one nearest the front tire); these could be signs that tools have been used to cut a lock connected there. And if the seller has provided info about any of the components, check that the information matches what you see.

If anything is inconsistent, or if you have a reasonable suspicion that the seller isn’t being honest, be prepared to walk away. But if everything checks out, go ahead and purchase the bike. As a final detail, ask the seller to fill out a bicycle bill of sale form, which you should print out and bring with you (many options can be found by Googling “bicycle bill of sale”; use one that includes a space to write the serial number). Hopefully the seller is honest, and you’ll be riding off on a new pair of wheels.

For other tips on preventing bike theft, check out these tips on locking your bike, and find out about locking your bike up at home.

We Need to Talk About Community Alternatives to Policing

Posted on by Claire Amable

In the past several months, our nation has been engaging in critical conversations on how systems deeply rooted in racism have oppressed Black, Indigenous and people of color since the inception of our country. San Francisco, like many cities around the country, has been discussing the role of police and how they have harmed Black and brown communities. Discussing what this looks like in our work is crucial — police play a huge role in enforcing traffic laws. As talks about defunding and abolishing the SF Police Department (SFPD) continue, we need to talk about how to shift towards alternatives to policing in traffic enforcement.

For decades, San Francisco has failed to reduce traffic violence and make streets safer throughout the city, especially in the Tenderloin. Every street in the Tenderloin falls under Vision Zero’s High Injury Network. Relying on SFPD to enforce traffic laws has shown to be ineffective and can be harmful to communities of color.

Since September, we’ve been working closely with Tenderloin Community Benefit District (TLCBD) on a campaign to pilot community alternatives to policing in traffic enforcement in the Tenderloin. Over the last few months, we’ve researched community based models nationally and internationally, and we now have potential alternatives to implement.

Throughout December, we’ll be conducting a survey and two focus groups in the Tenderloin to hear from residents what they’re traffic enforcement interactions with SFPD have been like and which community alternatives they’d find most useful based on their lived experiences. Results of the survey will be anonymous and will be used to better inform what community alternatives Tenderloin residents want to see piloted in the future.  The survey is live and will be prioritized for people who live and work in the Tenderloin.

In order to make this pilot come to fruition we need your help. If you are someone who lives or works in the Tenderloin, take our anonymous survey today, tell us about your traffic enforcement experiences with SFPD, and which policing alternatives you think would work best in your neighborhood. 

Take the survey now

Board of Directors: 2021 Election

Posted on by SF Bicycle Coalition Board

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is proud to have a very active and professional all-volunteer Board of Directors as stewards of our organization and work.

Directors are elected by members to serve a two-year term, and this year members will be voting to elect eight directors during the winter 2021 election. San Francisco Bicycle Coalition members may nominate themselves or another member as a candidate for the Board of Directors. Interested candidates should review the following:

Here’s the schedule for the 2021 San Francisco Bicycle Coalition Board elections:

Fall/winter 2020: Board promotes the election amongst members and encourages members to declare their interest.

January 1, 2021: Deadline for interested candidates to submit the online candidate questionnaire and submit resume to boardnomination@sfbike.org.

January 4-15, 2021: Current Board Directors review candidate questionnaires and interview candidates.

January 15, 2021: Membership eligibility deadline: January 15, 2021 at 11:59 pm PST. You must be a member by this date to vote or run in the election.

January 15, 2021: Candidates must officially declare their intent to run by submitting the following to boardnomination@sfbike.org before this deadline:

  • Candidate photo
  • 150-word statement

January 18, 2021: Staff meets with candidates to review the election process. Candidates’ 150-word statements are published in the SF Bicycle Coalition newsletter.

January 25, 2021: Voting starts. Members will have a chance to vote online throughout the election period. Board Candidate Forum: Candidates will have an equal opportunity to connect with the membership during an online Q&A session where each candidate will have the same amount of time to answer the same set of questions, and the meeting will be recorded for later viewing. Questions will be posted for all members to view prior to the Board Candidate Forum.

February 3, 2021: Voting ends at 9:59 pm PST.

February 4-5, 2021: Election results are communicated to each candidate.

February 9, 2021: Election results are announced in the SF Bicycle Coalition newsletter.

February 20, 2021: Board of Directors participate in an all-day retreat.

February 23, 2021: Board of Directors meeting is held. 

Questions? Email boardnomination@sfbike.org.

Let’s Keep the Great Highway Open

Posted on by Kristen Leckie

In March, the Great Highway was opened to people as a place to recreate safely during public health orders. Since then, it’s become not only a recreational space but a community hub for art and activism, welcoming thousands of people walking, biking, and marching every day.

On November 21, the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) is hosting a virtual town hall on the long-term future of the Great Highway. However, the near-term is at stake with neighbors asking the City to reopen it to cars. Can you attend the meeting and let the City know we need to keep the Great Highway open to people?

I’m In!

While the long-term vision of the Great Highway provides an exciting open space for generations to come, the City must develop and implement a near-term plan. This open space has become a popular neighborhood and city park for so many and it’s clear we can’t wait for the longer-term redesign. The City must address the near-term while we plan for the future.

Join us this Saturday, November 21 to push the City to figure out near-term solutions at the virtual town hall.

District 4 Virtual Town Hall on Great Highway
Saturday, November 21, 2020
10:00 – 11:30 am
Join via Zoom: Click here to register

The fight’s not over for a Better Market Street

Posted on by Janice Li

UPDATE (11/12/2020): The City has heard your concerns regarding outreach and they have now extended the deadline for an additional two weeks to Nov. 30. They have also added a survey so that participants can give more detailed feedback about the project elements.

Your San Francisco Bicycle Coalition knows how important Market Street is, which is why we keep fighting to make sure Better Market Street delivers change that we can be proud of. That’s why we joined with Walk San Francisco and the SF Transit Riders last week to oppose the revised proposal that City planners unveiled last month.

Share Your Feedback

The City has stated that they want to hear from the public, but the virtual open house being held right now does not send that message at all. There is currently no way for people to provide detailed feedback on the major changes to this complex project. It feels to us and our members like ten years of robust, intentional outreach and planning is being thrown out without much discussion.

So here’s where we need your help.

First, take a look at the website for yourself and read up on the City’s revised proposal to remove the proposed dedicated, protected bike lanes and maintain the status quo of sharing the street with taxis and delivery trucks.

Then, write an email to the City’s leadership and the Better Market Street project team to share your feedback. Here are some suggested talking points:

  • I disagree with the current revised proposal because the design isn’t safe enough for people on bikes. Car-free Market Street was an upgrade, but in order to transform Market Street as a place where everyone feels welcome to bike, we need dedicated space for biking and not shared lanes.
  • This outreach is inadequate. This project was in planning for 10 years and an 11-day open house to change it is rushed. There isn’t even a survey for us to take to give direct feedback about this design.
  • As City leaders, I’m asking that you take public feedback seriously and listen to people like me who are taking time to write you an email. I’m also asking that you bring back designs that meet the original goals of a Better Market Street to address pedestrian and bicycle safety, improve Muni reliability, and make our city’s most important street a more welcoming place for everyone. Getting Market Street right is more important than ever as our city’s economy recovers from the pandemic.

We know that changes are necessary to reduce project costs. We know the design will need to be revised, and we are committed to working with the City to develop a design that reflects what our members have always fought for: a safe, welcoming experience for people who bike Market Street today and all those who will bike it in the future.

How to lock your bike up at home

Posted on by Eliana Marcus-Tyler

While it’s common practice and common sense to securely lock your bike when locking it in public, it might be less obvious that you should do the same when leaving your bike in supposedly secure storage, such as a storage locker or garage.

We have recently received several reports from constituents about burglaries and break-ins resulting in bike theft. You can lower your risk of having your bike stolen from inside your garage, home, or storage locker by securely locking it to an immovable object. We’ve compiled suggestions below, including tips and pix of how your San Francisco Bicycle Coalition staff lock-up. 

Here’s how we recommend locking your bike in a garage, storage locker, or home: 

  • Cover your bike with a sheet or tarp so that it’s not recognizable through a window. 
  • If you are able to store your bike inside your home (instead of in a garage, outside, or in a storage unit) we recommend doing so. You can use a rack to help keep the bike(s) out of the way. If you are limited on space and have the means to purchase a bike, you might consider a folding bike. 

    A staff member and her partner’s bikes stored on a rack (this rack leans against the wall and doesn’t require installation)

    Program Director Chris’ bikes on swiveling hanging racks he installed. 

  • Lock your bike to an immovable object.
    1. If you have a concrete wall or floor, you can install a ground or wall anchor and lock it to that. This is probably the most secure option when storing your bike in a garage or storage unit. Be sure to install it in a location that’s not visible from the outside.

      Bikes locked with a chain lock to a ground anchor.

    2. You can lock it to a pole or railing

      Community Organizer Claire’s bike locked in her former SoMa apartment building.

  • Use the heaviest/thickest lock available. Unlike when locking your bike on the street, where you need something that’s relatively easy to transport, in your home you should opt for the heaviest lock available to make it harder to cut. 
  • Be sure to lock the frame of the bike and both wheels. You can do this one of three ways. These graphics depict locking your bike to a sidewalk rack, but the same techniques apply when locking elsewhere.

    Click to view full image.

  • If these options aren’t available to you, there are a couple of better-than-nothing options.
    1. If you have a number of bikes, you can lock them together to make it harder for someone who is trying to steal them to do so.

      A member’s bikes locked in her garage. She hangs her family’s bikes on hooks and then locks them together.

    2. If you don’t have a completely immovable object, you can lock your bike to anything that’s large and cumbersome to move. 
    3. You can lock your bike to itself by locking the wheel to the frame so that it can’t roll. This will make it harder to move. 

These are important preventative measures that you can take to mitigate bike theft from your home. If you are able to, we also recommend investing in renter’s or homeowner’s insurance that covers your bike(s). There are a number of relatively inexpensive options, and in the event that your bike does get stolen, having insurance can cover most of the cost of replacing a stolen bike. When shopping for insurance, make sure that your policy would cover theft outside your home as well!  

To learn more about how to keep you and your bike safe in SF, register for one of your free upcoming bike classes here. 

Development Intern

Posted on by San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition works to promote bicycling for everyday transportation. Our member-based grassroots organization is considered one of the largest, most active and effective advocacy groups in the country. For more than 50 years, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition has a proven track record of winning better bicycling improvements.

Position Description

This position is a great opportunity if you are interested in learning more about how a nonprofit operates internally and the external factors contributing to an organization’s success. The Development Intern will gain important skills, such as working with Salesforce, a customer relationship management software, or CRM,  that will translate to any nonprofit position. You will also gain valuable experience working for and alongside other staff of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, a leader in nonprofit advocacy which helps advance the cause of better bicycling in San Francisco. Along with CRM/database management and fundraising event assistance, specific tasks will be tailored to match the successful candidate’s interests and relate to a number of different fundraising projects. This internship is eligible for remote applicants (*must be a California resident*).

What you’ll learn:

  • Management and organization of donor information using the Salesforce CRM software
  • Administrative support
  • Relationship management with business partners
  • Exposure to various types of nonprofit jobs and positions
  • Event sponsorship and coordination

The ideal candidate has the following interest, skills or abilities:

  • Commitment to learning and building new skills
  • Excellent writing and communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Creative and resourceful thinking
  • Interest in bicycle advocacy campaigns
  • Professional, responsible demeanor
  • Cheerful, friendly, upbeat outlook
  • Interest in nonprofit fundraising

Internship Length:

  • Tuesday, September 20th, 2022 – Thursday, December 15th, 2022 

Internship Mandatory Attendance Dates:

  • Tuesday, September 20th (Intern Orientation Day)
  • Winterfest (November 6th, 2022)

Compensation and Benefits:

  • $16.99 per hour with a 10 – 15 hour/week minimum commitment
  • One year’s free membership to the SF Bicycle Coalition
  • First-hand experience in one of the country’s oldest and largest bicycle advocacy organizations
  • A behind-the-scenes view of a bustling nonprofit organization
  • Experience working on a robust nonprofit fundraising strategy
    • Ongoing professional development opportunities, including:
      Networking with SF Bicycle Coalition staff and professionals in a variety of fields, including but not limited to urban planning, transportation and nonprofits
    • Training and experience with nonprofit industry-standard software (Salesforce, Google Suite, etc.)
    • Presentations and trainings aimed at the development of professional workforce skills
  • Indoor bike parking provided

This internship offers a flexible schedule with an 10-15 hour/week minimum commitment. This is mainly a Monday through Friday internship, with occasional evenings and weekends. Interns are expected to make a three-month commitment, which may be extended. San Francisco residents encouraged to apply. Remote applicants will be considered who have a CA residential address.

To Apply:

To apply, please submit a resume and a PDF with your answers to the below four questions. A formal cover letter is not required. Please make your answers roughly one paragraph each:

  1. What makes you excited to intern at the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition?
  2. How would this internship contribute to your long term personal and professional goals?
  3. What is your favorite biking memory?
  4. Tell us about yourself (hobbies, interests, etc) 

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. People of color and women are strongly encouraged to apply. The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation or political orientation.

 

WE ARE NO LONGER HIRING FOR THIS POSITION

Why we oppose the Better Market Street changes

Posted on by Janice Li

One year ago, we made history with Better Market Street’s approval. It took over ten years of people-powered advocacy and hard work to create a bold plan to transform our city’s most important street for people who bike, walk, and take transit.

Now, with the City facing deep budget cuts, all the things that made the Better Market Street project transformative are being removed. The City’s revised design takes away the sidewalk-level, separated bike lanes, and puts people on bikes back with vehicle traffic.

Now it’s time to turn out and speak up. Don’t let the City roll back on the progress we won.

Turn out for the open house

In an effort to reduce project costs, the City is removing the dedicated, sidewalk-level bike lanes and maintaining much of what the street looks like now, where people biking share the outer curb lanes with taxis, paratransit and delivery trucks. The change also restricts all Muni vehicles to the two center red transit lanes.

The new rendering of Market Street adds more sharrows and puts people riding bikes back with vehicle traffic.

We understand that the project budget faces challenges, but we must find a design that is safe, sustainable, and transformative for future generations. Along with Walk San Francisco and SF Transit Riders, we believe this revised proposed design no longer meets the project’s safety goals, does not seem to optimize mobility or create the premier cultural, civic and economic center we all envisioned. What we are being shown seems rushed and short-sighted, especially when the revised project budget is still over $100 million. We wrote this letter to our City’s leadership to jointly express our concerns as our city’s largest bicycle, pedestrian and transit advocacy organizations.

Click to read the full letter.

That’s why we need you now. The City is hosting a two-week virtual open house period. RSVP here, and your San Francisco Bicycle Coalition will make sure that you get all the details of how to turn out and be heard.

Why the New Pedestrian Scrambles in the Tenderloin Are So Important

Posted on by Claire Amable

In late October, we welcomed the first of ten new pedestrian scrambles coming to the Tenderloin by the end of the year. It’s clear that the Tenderloin has been underserved and neglected when it comes to safe streets, open space, and transportation. With every street in the neighborhood on the high-injury network, small improvements like pedestrian scrambles can make a dramatic impact in slowing speeds and saving lives.

At a stop light, pedestrian scrambles stop vehicle traffic in all directions and allow people to safely cross the intersections from all corners at the same time.

After three people were hit and killed by fast-moving vehicles in the Tenderloin in May of 2019, we came together with other neighborhood advocates on the Tenderloin Traffic Safety Task Force to demand the SF Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) implement urgent changes like pedestrian scrambles. In the same month, the SFMTA installed pedestrian scrambles where Golden Gate Avenue intersects with Hyde and Leavenworth streets and we’ve seen great success.

Now, after the advocacy from our community partners, we’re excited to see the first of the ten new pedestrian scrambles installed on Golden Gate Avenue and Jones Street. Our partners at the Tenderloin Community Benefit District are on the ground every day providing educational resources and ensuring people know how to use the new crosswalk design.

These pedestrian scrambles are just the start to creating safe, just, and livable streets in the Tenderloin. We must ensure that our neighbors and families in the Tenderloin are able to not only get around their neighborhood safely, but also enjoy and thrive in street space.

There is much work to be done and we need your help. Learn more about our work for safe streets in the Tenderloin and join our advocacy by signing up for campaign updates.

Send me Tenderloin Updates

Let’s Keep Twin Peaks Open to People

Posted on by Kristen Leckie

Photo: Keisuke Omi

In March, Twin Peaks was opened to people as a place to enjoy the outdoors while remaining socially distant. As one of the city’s most popular landmarks, Twin Peaks saw a huge increase in people walking and biking to enjoy the views and find respite outdoors.

Now, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has launched a survey to determine the future of Twin Peaks. Want to see this beautiful open space preserved? Fill out the survey today.

Let’s Keep Twin Peaks Open

Since March, Twin Peaks has seen an average of over 800 visitors on weekdays and 1,100 on weekend days. The numbers show how successful the opening of the street has been at creating more space for recreation during the pandemic. At the same time, we know there’s work to be done to make Twin Peaks accessible to people of all ages and abilities, many of whom have only previously been able to access Twin Peaks by car.

The SFMTA’s survey will help resolve issues with the current configuration, including:

  • Improving accessibility so those with disabilities and those unable to walk or bike can still enjoy Twin Peaks;
  • Maintaining safe paths for those walking and biking given the huge increase in trips they’re making daily to the park;
  • And addressing neighborhood concerns about excess traffic below the closure points.

You only have until November 3 to send in your thoughts, so don’t delay. If you want to keep open space atop Twin Peaks, we need you to fill out the survey today. With your help, we can keep Twin Peaks open for people.