Electric bike was stolen....but I stole it back from the thief!

[smh254]

I live in a Hua Qing Gardens apartment complex in Wudaokou, Beijing. Last Wednesday night my e-bike was stolen from within the apartment complex. It was raining very heavily late at night and I didn't want to hassle with taking it down the stairs to the basement, so I decided to leave it outside, next to the front door of my building. I placed a U-lock on the front wheel and activated the built-in internal lock for the rear wheel. Nonetheless, the thieves still managed to take off with it, despite a heavy security presence within the complex 24 hours per day

Since the night it was stolen, I've been keeping a vigilant watch of the bikes in the neighborhood, as I had a hunch that the thief lived or worked in the area. It turns out my assumption was correct!

I was riding home from class today on my girlfriend's bike. I passed by the line of bikes parked on the sidewalk outside the shopping center right next to the Wudaokou subway station (Tous Les Jours & KFC). While riding by, a bike on the sidewalk caught my eye. It looked very similar to my bike, so I decided to get a closer look. IT WAS MY BIKE!

The thief had parked the bike, literally 1.5 blocks from my apartment. He obviously is not very bright. The bike was now very dirty (it's covered in fresh mud and dirt). He had also broken off the rear wheel locking mechanism and installed a new ignition. I waited around for a while, hoping to confront the thief. After waiting for about an hour, he never showed and I was growing impatient. The thief had placed his own U-lock through the back wheel but neglected to attach the bike to the fence. With the help of one of my schoolmates, we wheeled the bike back to my apartment.

I wish I was there to see the look of surprise on the thief's face when the bike he stole WAS STOLEN FROM HIM, but having the bike back is enough satisfaction for me

I'm writing about my experience for two reasons:

1.) If your bike is stolen, there's a good chance that it was done by someone in your neighborhood. Hopefully you'll get a lucky break and be able to spot it parked outside a shopping center or grocery store. I was pretty upset that my bike was stolen, as it would be difficult to afford a new one, but I always held out hope that I would be able to find it.

2.) I still have the thief's U-lock attached to the rear wheel and his new ignition installed. Can anyone recommend a reputable person in Beijing who can come to my apartment to work on the bike? I need to get the lock removed and need a new ignition to be installed. Please send me a PM, thanks.

[skylee]

How did you know that it was your bike? Was there some sort of a serial number or marking on your bike?

[smh254]

I have never seen another bike that looks like mine. All the physical details are exactly the same. The bike has a unique paint job and decorative stickers on it. The thief did not try to change the physical appearance at all.

The bike also has a unique serial number.

[imron]

I wish I was there to see the look of surprise on the thief's face when the bike he stole WAS STOLEN FROM HIM

Probably it wouldn't have been the thief, but rather the person the thief sold the bike to.

[heifeng]

Probably it wouldn't have been the thief, but rather the person the thief sold the bike to.

Yeah, Imron took the words out of my mouth...

[imron]

See Beijing Bicycle for how the whole thing works.

[chaxiu]

You should pay particular attention to how that movie ends. Good luck. I hope you can run especially fast:mrgreen:

[roddy]

And wear a Chinese-forums t-shirt so that everyone knows who to support as you're chasing each other back and forth across Wudaokou.

ิำ北京单车：留学生版。 Could be a youtube sensation . . .

[simonlaing]

Hey Roddy,

Should make a logo and catch phrase design for a chinese-forums T-shirt. I'd buy a couple. Plus it would be a good way to advertise the site.

You could even do a Taobao version of it.

have fun,

Simon:)

[Lu]

Can anyone recommend a reputable person in Beijing who can come to my apartment to work on the bike? I need to get the lock removed and need a new ignition to be installed.

When I had that problem I brought the bike to a bike-fix-guy (what do you call that in English), and he broke the lock for me. That was a very simple lock though. But if your bike is too heavy to drag to a bike repair shop, perhaps you can bring the guy to the bike instead of the other way around.

[Luobot]

a bike-fix-guy (what do you call that in English)

I've found your bike-fix-guy: He's Bicycle Repairman!

in the disguise of an ordinary, mild mannered, everyday superman.

[liuzhou]

"ready to smash the communists and wipe them out"

That brightened up my lunch break. Thanks!