How I Became The Internet's Most Notorious Bike Thief

December 1, 2021 10:23 PM

How I Became The Internet's Most Notorious Bike Thief: A globetrotters guide to stealing the same bike in the same laneway, over and over again. [CyclingTips.com]
posted by hippybear (13 comments total)

Ah, Globe Alley. Just next to the Tattersalls, around the corner from Curtin House. Great spot.

We can all guess how this happens. Google search, copy, paste, publish. I just did a search for "stealing a bicycle" and there the photo is, second result.
posted by awfurby at 10:31 PM on December 1, 2021

Ah the joys of stock photography. Violence is wrong, but having had a couple bikes stolen, don't steal bikes, bro remains pretty cathartic.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 10:50 PM on December 1, 2021 [5 favorites]

Open letter to guy who stole the front wheel of my bike.
posted by Meatbomb at 11:07 PM on December 1, 2021 [1 favorite]

As a longtime fan of Bike Snob NYC, I was stoked to recently come across this guide to locking up a bike in New York City. Solid advice, across the board.
posted by flod at 11:56 PM on December 1, 2021 [7 favorites]

Huh. That search doesn't give me the relevant result until 21. I guess cookies may vary.
posted by poe at 3:09 AM on December 2, 2021 [1 favorite]

I think the point is that this was NOT a stock photo. TFA isn't super clear about it but implies the pic was published in one issue of a (now defunct) (online) magazine, and spread from there simply by people ignoring copyright and using the image for their own purposes.
posted by achrise at 5:03 AM on December 2, 2021 [9 favorites]

Bike Snob is ok, but I’ll recommend Hal Ruzal of Bike Habitat grading bike-locking technique.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 5:12 AM on December 2, 2021 [4 favorites]

I guess Igor Kenk is only a legend locally, but The World’s Greatest Bicycle Thief Was a Policeman.
posted by rodlymight at 6:00 AM on December 2, 2021 [4 favorites]

Shades of B.J. Novak's accidental modelling career.
posted by Ten Cold Hot Dogs at 6:18 AM on December 2, 2021 [6 favorites]

Hah. Not only is this a fun story, but I have been to Melbourne and have a photo of that alley to prove it. I feel very proud of myself for no reason right now.
posted by PussKillian at 6:49 AM on December 2, 2021 [2 favorites]

Also reminiscent of the post here about Lena.
posted by subdee at 12:43 PM on December 2, 2021 [1 favorite]

Every time Officer Jim Dangle’s bicycle was stolen.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 4:25 PM on December 2, 2021 [1 favorite]

I think the point is that this was NOT a stock photo.

The irony being that the magazine owners could sue for IP theft and win damages? If they weren't too busy washing dishes or driving taxis or whatever it they do now
posted by eustatic at 6:14 AM on December 3, 2021 [1 favorite]