How to get more secure bike parking

[bobco85]

Here’s the situation: the Ballston mall parking garage’s bike racks are not secure. At all. Although near the parking garage office, there are no cameras even though the area is fairly well trafficked by people going to/from the garage/mall. In the past week, I have had 2 handlebar headlights stolen (the first was stolen one day, then the back-up got stolen the next day), and Greg (GB) had his bike bag with various tools (multitool, patch kit, pump) stolen.

Note: this is the same place that I had my bike stolen a couple years ago, although it was only locked with a cable lock at the time (I now use a U-lock with cable through the other wheel). I filed a police report at the time after going through mall security and the parking garage office, but my bike was never rescued.

After getting in contact with both mall security and the parking garage office, it’s clear they have no interest in doing anything about this (they have a sign above the racks saying something along the lines of, “We are not responsible for any damage/theft to your property,” you know, SUPER HELPFUL). Receiving no help whatsoever, both Greg and I have concluded that another solution is needed.

My (our) question: How does one go about convincing a private parking garage to provide more secure bike parking (bike cage, camera, etc.)? The bike racks (2 sets of wavy racks) are usually at least half-3/4 full on a daily basis, so there are a lot of people who would benefit from an upgrade.

Right now the alternatives include: removing stuff from the bike upon locking it up (I usually remove my camera, but someone with a screwdriver and allen wrench could easily steal my bell, speedometer, seatpost, bike bag, patch kit (inside the bike bag), bike rack, taillight, pedals, and spoke lights, and I’m not about to remove all of those every single time), bringing the bike into the office, praying every time I lock up that something isn’t missing when I return, or not biking to work.

Topic

[Tim Kelley]

@Drewdane 97341 wrote:

The part I bolded would be appreciated, at least. In my experiance, bike theft is definitely shrugged off by local law enforcement.

Is it bikes being stolen or just lights and pumps?

What I would recommend, because it doesn’t really sound like there is much motivation at the ground level, is to contact the parking management company and the building management company to let them know what the issue is and try to set up a meeting with them. Then if you’d like to see more theft investigation, contact the Arlington County Police Department to let them know your concerns.

If you’re looking for more u-racks to be installed, that is more along the lines of what Arlington County Bike/Ped planners can accomplish in the short term.

[bobco85]

@Drewdane 97341 wrote:

The part I bolded would be appreciated, at least. In my experiance, bike theft is definitely shrugged off by local law enforcement.

I would disagree. When my bike was stolen from the Ballston parking garage about 3 years ago, mall security pushed me off on the parking management company, both of which were no help whatsoever. It wasn’t until I talked with a police officer (Arlington County) and filed a police report that I felt like anyone cared. The police officer even contacted me back when I contacted them for follow-up on my bike. My bike was not registered at that time (after that incident, I have made sure to register every bike I own).

[Tim Kelley]

@bobco85 97349 wrote:

My bike was not registered at that time (after that incident, I have made sure to register every bike I own).

http://police.arlingtonva.us/bicycle-registration-form/

[bobco85]

@Tim Kelley 97343 wrote:

Is it bikes being stolen or just lights and pumps?

What I would recommend, because it doesn’t really sound like there is much motivation at the ground level, is to contact the parking management company and the building management company to let them know what the issue is and try to set up a meeting with them. Then if you’d like to see more theft investigation, contact the Arlington County Police Department to let them know your concerns.

If you’re looking for more u-racks to be installed, that is more along the lines of what Arlington County Bike/Ped planners can accomplish in the short term.

Thanks for the information and advice, Tim.

While the theft of my bike was 3 years ago (a one-time event), I have not heard of any other bikes being stolen. The current ongoing situation is theft of smaller parts (lights, bags, tools, etc.) that has happened multiple times (twice to me, once to GB) over the past 2 weeks to different people.

What I would love to have: secure bike cage with cameras and security personnel (I would be willing to pay a fee for this)
What I think is needed and seems feasible: adding a security camera to watch the bike racks and adding the bike racks to the security patrol route to help deter potential theives
What I really want: a convenient place I can lock my bike without anyone stealing stuff off of it

[vern]

I can’t imagine parking/locking my bike in a location without taking off everything that is grab and go in a second or so: lights, wedge bag, etc. I’d only leave that stuff on my bike if the bike was going to remain within my sight the entire time. But if I’m parking to go to work, and won’t be back for 8 hours…no way I’d leave that stuff on. I don’t think you can reasonably expect the parking garage to ensure nothing happens to those accessories, either (sad as it is to say that).

I’m sorry your things were taken, but I think you have to take those things with you.

[Drewdane]

@Tim Kelley 97343 wrote:

Is it bikes being stolen or just lights and pumps?

What I would recommend, because it doesn’t really sound like there is much motivation at the ground level, is to contact the parking management company and the building management company to let them know what the issue is and try to set up a meeting with them. Then if you’d like to see more theft investigation, contact the Arlington County Police Department to let them know your concerns.

If you’re looking for more u-racks to be installed, that is more along the lines of what Arlington County Bike/Ped planners can accomplish in the short term.

My comment had to do my own experience with Law Enforcement’s attitude in general towards bike theft, not any one specific place or jurisdiction. In my case, I’ve had two bikes stolen in the last several years, one in NW DC, the other a couple of years ago from WFC Metro Station. On both occasions, I got the distinct impression I was wasting both mine and the officer’s time by filing a report. Where I used to live in a different part of the country, friends of mine who lost bikes to theft reported similar impressions.

Anecdotal, I know – YMMV.

[Arlingtonrider]

Seconding what KLizotte suggested, I’d love to see a Bikestation type business there like the one at Union Station, with or without repair service. That one offers a monthly or annual (?) membership rate, but also allows ad hoc hourly or day use. It also has a dressing room for changing clothes, which has come in handy.

[Author]

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