Bikes of Chelmsford

and here's the new bike

2007-07-18T11:29:00.000+01:00

and its lovely...this one is going nowhere near the station and I am thinking about paying a former SAS soldier to guard it each night - overkill?

Asbo

2007-07-03T13:11:00.000+01:00

I was pleased to read in Metro that a frequent bike thief who stole from train stations has been given an asbo and banned from travelling on trains.

Part of me thinks - 'hell this guy breaks the law what will he care about this' but I expect this is all tied up with a lack of prison spaces.

He's had to pay his victims compensation as well.

No news on my lost bikes though......

3 days and counting

2007-07-02T16:33:00.000+01:00

3 days until the new (replacement bike) is due to turn up.

In the meantime I am scouting EBAY for a cheap as chips racer to take to the station.

Is is possible to pick up a bike for £20 - seems so.

Watch this space

a week on

2007-06-20T13:20:00.001+01:00

So in the last week I had the article published in the essex chronicle, recieved a letter from my mp who has written to the MD of ONE.

Also an email from ONE saying they will be in touch (I am not holding my breath).

Insurance company who are replacing the bike (at some point).

So a few conversations to follow up and an indication they are considering a swipe card security installation - now that wuld be something.

busy day

2007-06-08T17:27:00.000+01:00

So working from home proved to be a blessing today as I was able to work through my lunchbreak and:

1. Meet our local MP Simon Burns (nice guy). He is going to write to the MD of ONE on Monday. I have high hopes this will create a reaction but how far this reaction goes is anyone's guess.

2. Telephone interview with The Essex Chronicle and my picture taken for the story

3. Resolve all issues with the insurance company and new bike is sorted out

I am aiming to have CCTV installed in the station - I think that will help a lot as long as its very high profile. I'd also like the British Transport Police to place some stinger bikes in the sheds which are tagged so they can trace the guys and arrest them.

Let's see what happens this time round. Shame on ONE - still no response and shame on Anglia TV for not even responding.

3 days is all it lasted for

2007-06-07T10:19:00.000+01:00

3 days and the handle bars and forks have been stolen - unbelievable.

So far I have spoken to the British Transport Police BTP who have been great (an excellent person there) who said they were in attendance at Chelmsford station (run by ONE Railways ONE ) for most of yesterday but were called away.

Staff at Chelmsford station repeated this is happening all the time.

So what am I doing (for a second time in 9 months) is:

1. Emailing ONE Railways ONE
2. Emailing the Essex Chronicle Essex Chronicle
3. Meeting with my local MP Simon Burns Simon Burns
4. Emailing Anglia TV Anglia TV
5. Making a request under the Freedom of Information Act to the BTP to ask how many bikes have been reported stolen in th last 9 months
6. Seriously considering buying a crap 2nd hand bike

I ride for all the right reasons - to get fit, to reduce polution and road congestion but I am close to giving up and returning to using the car.

Let's see what the media and an MP can do - no one seems to listen to the cyclist.

Stolen:

Manitou Splice Super 100mm fork
Giant MPH Brake levers
Shimano Shifters LX 27 Speed
Low rise Giant Handle bars

day two update

2007-06-06T12:58:00.000+01:00

I managed to meet Paul last night - the guy who found my sunglasses and was able to say thank you in person.

It's nice to be able to say thanks face to face (having left a note to that effect) and it made me realise how one good turn creates a good feeling in two people - the person who performs the good deed and the person on the recieving end.

Nice work Paul and I hope the removal of all your quick release bolts means you dont have the hassle of removing your saddle as I do.

day two

2007-06-05T14:19:00.000+01:00

So day two of the return to cycling to chelmsford station with my bike - I've seen several wire cable locks on the floor - clerly having been cut through so its clear bike theft is just as big an issue as it was last year when mine was stolen.

However I have had my faith in human nature restored as having left my sunglasses next to my bike in the morning someone had picked them up and fixed them to my bike. I've put a thank you note near to my bike on the assumption people park in the same area each day.

Thats made me think - is it better to park my bike in the same spot each day or move it around? Who can tell!

Weather!

2007-05-31T09:37:00.000+01:00

So since I last posted how many times have I managed to cycle? None. The weather in the UK is pants at the moment.

I've still to stop by the station and drop off my monster chain to lock my bike up and updtae myself with one of the guards on how many bikes disappear a week.....

Back again

2007-04-16T13:48:00.000+01:00

So now I'm about to start cycling again to the station I'm back blogging. I'm going to check with the station staff tomorrow to see what the current theft problems are like.

I don't expect anything has changed - no obvious improvement in security but at least I have this bike insured, ultra violet tagged and with a bugger off chain and d-lock combination. Plus disk locks through the brakes.

All in all a right pain but nothing else for it.

meeting

2006-10-23T11:26:00.000+01:00

Myself and Dave who contacted me via this blog are due to meet tonight.

From Dave's feedback the thefts continue with an average of one a day and the last being a police woman who had her bike stolen and all that was left was the basket.

I'll provide an update tomorrow post our meeting and any action we decide upon.

All quiet?

2006-10-17T18:14:00.000+01:00

As the weather changes and the bike goes away I wonder what happens to theft levels at Chlemsford station owned by ONE Railways.

It could go two ways - the darkness is a thiefs friend but less bikes make them more obvious.

I hope to catch up with Dave soon and try and work on ONE before next Spring!

Had your bike stolen?

2006-09-24T21:22:00.000+01:00

If so and you have a picture of your bike then go to this Flickr site and post a picture. Describe your bike and any recognisable parts or characteristics.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/94636338@N00/

Pete

ONE Railways are failing cyclists

2006-09-24T20:34:00.000+01:00

I've not updated my blog for a few weeks but it seems as if the theft and now vandalism issue are growing in size. Another cyclist has sent me the following:

'I had my bike damaged at the station today. They opened the shed at 2.00pm today. Twice this week I have turned up to find a demoralised cyclist with a stolen bike. The British transport police guy said that I may be able to take a civil action against ONE.'

http://www.onerailway.com/

I'm meeting up with this contact, I'll publish his name when he ok's it, to see how we go from an online voice to a real world voice.

It's a shame a company like ONE can't see that by talking to its customers it could identify how it could improve. However there aren't many companies who recognise that the balance of power is changing and still insist on the old ways of treating your customers.

Pete

Wet weather gear

2006-08-31T09:33:00.000+01:00

Has anyone any tip's on wet weather cycling gear? Looks like the shorts will need to go away for a while now so I'll be looking for gear that's warm and watrproof.

Also tips on how to protect the bike from rust etc would be great.

Bank hols

2006-08-29T09:00:00.000+01:00

Well a combination of pants weather and other obligations kept the bike in the garage.

However I have a weeks holiday coming up so should get some good bike time - plus an opportunity to talk to Dave about how we continue promoting the theft issue.

As we've both seen a poor communication link between the British Transport Police and One I might look into this area.

Another fellow victim

2006-08-24T20:54:00.000+01:00

If you've read Dave's comment in the previous blog then you'll see there's a growing number of us who've suffered bike theft - we've talked outside of this forum and Dave was happy for me to share his thoughts with a few bits removed:

'I have had a fortunate (possibly) outcome of that I had ‘new for old’ insurance and just taken delivery of a xxx. The question is do I risk taking it to the station? If I do I will probably , lock it with two locks and something I haven’t tried before is to fit an alarm to it.Do you know of anyone who has used one? I have seen two on the net. One that arms automatically and I thought was great for kids who wouldn’t bother normally to switch it on when they just lay it down in the park at (http://www.ducharmealarmsystems.com/Index.html) and another that sells on ebay that arms with a key. Do you know if these are any good?'

So at what point did we need to start considering audio alarms for cycles within a locked environment?

Do you know the best bit? Dave is a print and design expert so we are going to consider a leaflet that would raise awareness of the issue. My initial thoughts are that the people who would benefit from the awareness are us the cyclists and the people who have to listen are ONE and the British Transport Police.

Any comments on possible content?

Dull weather

2006-08-15T17:08:00.000+01:00

Well the bikes pretty safe at the moment - the weather here is pants and I am sure it is where you are as well.

So the bike is staying in the garage until either the weekend or the weather decides to remember 'its the middle of bloody summer!'

I have taken to locking the bike in the garage as well now.

If you are still out there cycling then good on you.

news this week

2006-08-10T08:50:00.000+01:00

Looks like its an action packed cycling edition of the Chronicle this week:

Story 1 - 15 year old arrested for stealing a mountain bike around the back of the Meadows Shooping Centre. I'm all for chopping off his hands but thats probably a little extreme. The police are looking for the owner of the stolen mountain bike so get in touch if that could be you.

Story 2 - Hit and run of a cyclist on Saturday midnight in Benfleet. Police are looking for a van driver and there are witnesses. What starts off as an accident gets a whole lot more serious when you run.

Story 3 - two other bike thefts. One which was chained to railings in Backnang Square, Chelmsford and one from a shed in Great Baddow.

Made me think that I should also stick a lock on mine when its in the garage.

Bye.

And a more recent example

2006-08-09T12:22:00.000+01:00

http://www.cyclecheltenham.org.uk/news_items/bikethieves.html

It's been proved to be successful - let's see it done in Chelmsford.

I'm going to track down the PR people at the British Transport Police and see if I get any joy.

Old article but great solution

2006-08-09T12:15:00.000+01:00

I found this old artcile while searching for more on bike security - the police using tracking devices within 'fake' bikes to catch bike thieves. Clearly we have a pretty serious issue with bike theft in Chelmsford - not just at the station - what better way to catch the thieves?

Once again it just takes a little bit of a proactive stance from the Police, British Transport Police and ONE's agreement.

Come on - make an effort.

http://mondodesigno.com/stolenbike/bikebugs.html

Chelmsford cycle group

2006-08-08T16:03:00.000+01:00

Here's a link to a cycle group in Chelmsford - I'll be sending off my £2 shortly.

http://www.essexcc.gov.uk/vip8/ecc/ECCWebsite/content/binaries/documents/cycling/
National_Bike_Week_2006/CCAG_family_bike_ride_flyer.pdf?channelOid=null

And then there were two

2006-08-08T16:01:00.000+01:00

Thanks to Stephen http://chelmsford-stephenrobinson.blogspot.com/ for mentioning that he had his bike stolen from the station just as I did when the gates were meant to be locked. It looks as if the Chronicle article did raise awareness - I think if we can get a few more people we could start to lobby ONE to make some changes.

Not news but

2006-08-07T14:18:00.000+01:00

Starting to research the issue of bike thefts in Chelmsford I came acrfoss articles from November 2005 www.essex.police.uk/news/n_cont.php?articleId=1860 so its clearly quite a common crime.

So do you use a good bike or buy a cheapr bike and not worry if its stolen? Juding by the bikes at the station its 20% good bikes and 80% 'not so good' - not a critisicm just an observation.

I'm sure that the situation at Chelmsford will jsut return to normal - gates etc will be left open when staff are busy, bikes will continue to be stolen. I wonder why ONE don't offer to postcode people's bikes using a few UV markers - now thats a great PR opportunity waiting to be grabbed.

If they were to partner up with Essex Police then both organisations could be seen to be doing something proactive - can't see it happening as it requires some imagination and some get up and go.

Until next time.

In print

2006-08-03T08:55:00.000+01:00

Thank you to the Chronicle for being true to their word and publishing my story today 3/8 - 'Commuters Anger over bike thefts' - a good piece. www.thisisessex.co.uk

The irony is that ONE responded to the journalist but not to me - there's a quote saying they regret the theft etc etc but they never bothered to respond to my email - seems a bizarre attitude to me. I work in digital advertising and I spend a lot of time talking to clients on this issue of not ignoring customer complaints - the web now means everyone has a voice and even one person can start a wave of negative (or positive if its deserved) conversations. PR people really should have embraced this by now if they are any good.

So due to staffing issues and other reasons the bike doors may or may not be locked - there's no guarantee which, in my mind, makes the offer worthless. Do it or don't do it.

The Chronicle were good enough to print this blog address so maybe a few more people will pick up on the blog - the more people who are aware of the theft the more people who will be able to protect their property.

Alas

2006-07-31T10:54:00.000+01:00

Anglia TV weren't able to come so no TV exposure re bike crime but this may still happen.

Hopefully the article in the Chronicle will be productive as they have said they will include the URL of this blog.

Great service

2006-07-28T16:57:00.000+01:00

As suggested by Essex Police I ordered an ultra violet marking pen yesterday and it was delivered a few hours ago - very efficient.

Should you wish to get one I'd recommend the following people - very impressive (ONE Railway take note).

http://www.office365.co.uk/

Anglia TV

2006-07-27T12:20:00.000+01:00

Now we can add Anglia TV to the conversation. I am expecting to be interviewed tomorrow by Wendy Pike.

Clearly this seems to be a story that's of interest - I am hoping that ONE do comment as I can only see that they would want to improve security and as mentioned before its really about a lack of communication with cyclists and a failure to live up to their offer of providing a locked facility that is actually locked.

I'm starting to wonder just how many other bikes have been stolen that no one else has reported. Maybe this will bring out a lot more similar stories.

Essex Chronicle

2006-07-27T10:15:00.000+01:00

Well good on the Chronicle - it seems my email was in the ether somewhere and they only recieved it today. A journalist was on the phone right away (power of the local press!) and has put a call into ONE. So I should apologise to ONE for previous posts regarding lack of feedback but I'll keep you updated on how they respond now - that's fair I feel.

Hopefully this will acheive all I set out to do which was to raise awareness of bike theft at the station and perhaps a few less people will have their bikes stolen as a result.

Hoorah for the Chronicle.

Essex Police feedback

2006-07-25T08:50:00.000+01:00

Credit to Essex Police - they may not still offer a frame stamping service but at least they respond!

Public Relations wrote:
Classification: NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKEDMr WilsonWe no longer provide a bike marking service as some frames did notwithstand the pressure of the engraving. I would advise that if you wishto mark your bike that UV markers work very well. I hope this is ofsome use.RegardsClaire

Essex Police warning

2006-07-24T14:00:00.000+01:00

Looks like this prompted the Chronicle piece re bike theft. If its true and people aren't looking their bikes then more fool them.

However if bikes are being locked and still stolen I would have expected the police to offer to code stamp frames etc to help track down the thieves. But then I'm not in charge, I just pay my council tax.

Here's the link to the article http://www.essex.police.uk/news/n_cont.php?articleId=2434

Essex Chronicle

2006-07-24T13:35:00.000+01:00

Well it looks like the Chronicle may have paid some notice to my emails as there is a small story in last weeks edition about the number of bike thefts. As I recall it mentions some 20/30 bikes stolen in the last few months.

Without access to any stats its not easy to see if this is average or if the town really is being targeted.

Here's a link to the Chronicle's online offering: http://www.thisisessex.co.uk/index.php

ONE Managing Director

2006-07-21T09:12:00.000+01:00

Well not that you can find it on the official ONE web site but I've found the MD's details of ONE on the Strategic Rail Authority site and here you are:

London Eastern Railway Ltd
Managing Director:
Tim Clarke
35 Artillery Lane
LONDON
E1 7LP

Let's see if we get any joy.

Abus d-lock

2006-07-17T14:01:00.000+01:00

Have not got the Abus x-plus 54 D lock and this seems to be as solid as they come. It's a good fit around the frame or the wheels to a bike post and looks pretty difficult to get hold of.

It's not light (it does come with a holder) but then again I look at some of the cheaper models (the 54 was £65) and they don't look like they would stand up to much.

I'm due to take some pics of various items and I'll post them up.

I also use a squire padlock and a squire chain http://www.squirelocks.co.uk/html/strongchains.htm which are previously used on my motorbike. Together with the Abus they make the bike a real pain in the butt to take but even I know its not impossible.

So I am considering either alphadot http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/67/2294
or Datatag http://www.datatag.co.uk/ as a marking system.

I may even call Essex Police and see if they will stamp the frame with my postcode. http://www.essex.police.uk/ I can't see anything on their site but that doesn't mean its not there.

British transport Police

2006-07-17T13:26:00.000+01:00

So having had to report my own crime to the BTP they have since proved excellent in their follow up (virtually no chance of seeing the old bike though). I've had a letter and a phone call.

At least the crime has been registered and there's a slim chance that someone will start looking into the increasing number of cycle's from Chelmsford station.

I'm off to track down ONE's MD and post him the email I sent to his PR people. I'm also going to email the Head Office with the original email address just to see if I can get a response. info@onerailway.com

New Google group

2006-07-14T17:35:00.000+01:00

For your info I've set up a Google group http://groups.google.co.uk/group/bikesofchelmsford to see if we can start conversations on the same subject as this blog.

Good resource

2006-07-14T11:28:00.000+01:00

Wish I had known about this site earlier:http://www.mondodesigno.com/stolenbike/index.html

I hadn't had my bike long enough to note down frame number, datatag it or have the frame stamped by the police but you can bet that the second bike is having all of the above sorted.

Go to the above site of you havea bike stolen and register it.

One fail to respond

2006-07-14T11:14:00.000+01:00

I don't suppose I am surprised but my email to ONE has been completely ignored. http://www.onerailway.com/

I had written to the PR department, not asking for compensation I might add, but wanting to hear how they would address the failure of their staff to carry out their duties.

Once again a large company, happy to take over £300 a month from me, cannot even be bothered to respond to a communication from one of its customers. Not unexpected I suppose, poor customer service exists everywhere: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customer_service

I'll post up a copy of my email shortly which I intend to print out and post to the MD.

Security @ the station

2006-07-11T10:24:00.000+01:00

Waiting to pick up the new bike, Giant XTC SX, I went via the station at around 4pm yesterday.

The two 'secure' bike, cycle, push bike zones which are locked from 9am - 4.30pm were both wide open. I spoke to station staff who confirmed 'yep they are meant to be locked and its our responsibility' - why this had not been done was not confirmed.

So when you've had a bike stolen from a secure zone and you find out the gates are not locked what are you to do?

My solution take pictures of the unlocked gates (time stamped) , write an email to the company running the station, ONE, cc in the local press, radio, TV and MP and send them the pics and ask them to respond.

Let's see what ONE's PR machine comes up with - I hope they demonstrate their commitment to customer service through their actions.

Sunday 9th Chelmsford station

2006-07-10T13:37:00.000+01:00

After dropping off my wife at the station I noticed a blond teenage boy parked on his bike in amongst bikes on the racks facing the Plough Pub. I stopped, got out of the car and challnaged him - it was obvious he was trying to steal the padded seat from one of the bikes.

Needless to say he rode off having been caught in the act. The staff at the station didn't seem that bothered.

Still not news from the British Transport Police - what a fine organisation they are. I'll email them directly but its more a point of principal than the expectation of a response.

http://www.btp.police.uk/

Essex Chronicle

2006-07-07T15:57:00.000+01:00

I've emailed the Essex Chronicle www.thisisessex.co.uk highlighting the unreported thefts and, you guessed it, zero feedback.

As, hopefully, people find this blog we can start raising the issue with the media.

Good news

2006-07-06T12:09:00.000+01:00

My local bike shop has matched the online price for a new Giant XtC SX (better than the SE that was stolen) so I'm back on the road this weekend.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/uk/030.000.000/030.010.000.asp?range=249

The Cycle & Toy Centre (not sure why that last bit is on there) in Chelmsford is recommended - speak to Mike on 01245 283929. Maybe one day they will get a web site but for the time being they only exist in the real world.

http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&search_result
=&db=pc〈=&keepicon=true&pc=CM11PP&advanced=&client=public&addr2=
&quicksearch=CM1%201PP&addr3=&addr1=

Any comments or advice on D-locks much appreciated but so far the Abus X-plus 54 seems the front runner:

http://www.cyclingplus.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=99270

Taxi driver inside info

2006-07-06T09:27:00.000+01:00

Sorry forgot to mention this.

Last night, speaking to a taxi driver taking me home I found out:

1. The taxi drivers know who the theives at the station are.
2. Groups of kids/teenagers hang around the station on bikes all 'hooded' up
3. When the taxi drivers have notified the police they don't turn up/turn up too late
4. These people are carrying bolt cutters - hardly a small piece of kit

Stations fall under the British Transport Police and Essex Police don't seem too concerned so once again it looks like it falls to us to look out for each other.

PS I will be buying another bike and I will be back to the station. This time with hoofing great locks and chains that will need power tools to get through.

Why the blog?

2006-07-06T09:23:00.000+01:00

Like a few people I have had the mis-fortune to have my bike stolen. Having spoken to the station staff at Chelmsford station (nice guy) it seems this is all too common and yet no real warnings are posted at the station apart from the usual 'get out of jail free/cover our backs' sign which reads 'bikes are left at your own risk.

So I printed out notes and tapped them up at the station and not one person was aware that there was a theft problem - if you don't know there's an issue you can't be as well prepared.

This blog isn't just about theft from stations but bike theft in general.

Post your comments and let's see what we can do about reducing theft as no one else seems that bothered.