Interviews with Experts on Bicycle Theft

Interviews were held with bicycle thieves to help develop a better understanding of the dynamics of bicycle theft. The individuals interviewed are individuals who were previously involved in bicycle theft, and who have prior or current knowledge of ongoing bicycle theft activities in the Western Cape region. The motivation for this research activity was to better understand the methods and motives involved in bicycle theft in the Western Cape, to determine exactly how and why bicycles are stolen. The insights gained are used to aid in the development of the solution’s requirements, specifications and performance measure criteria.

3.2.1 Approach

The interviews were executed in collaboration with the Stellenbosch Parole Observation Centre (SPOC) in Reyneveld Street, Stellenbosch. The interviewees were individuals who were currently under parole supervision at the SPOC, who have previously been involved in bicycle theft and who also have exposure to current activities of bicycle theft due to networks they are involved in. The appropriate candidates were identified and approached to participate in the interviews by the SPOC, with all interviews set-up and facilitated by the SPOC. All interviews occurred at the SPOC facilities, with the names and personal details of the interviewees staying anonymous during the entire process.

The interviews were structured into three main sections, each with a different objective. The overall objectives for the respective sections were to (1) determine the motives for bicycle theft occurring in the Western Cape, (2) understand the methods used to identify and steal the bicycle(s), and (3) test different conceptual methods that can be used to protect bicycles against theft. The first section’s requirement is therefore to determine the question of why bicycles are being stolen, and therefrom providing insights into what bicycles will be stolen and to what extent thieves will go to steal the bicycles. The second section’s requirements is to help understand the methods used to steal the bicycles, and identify attractive situations in which a bicycle can be stolen. This includes the whole process from how a bicycle is identified, what time of the day is best preferred, what tools are used and what locking mechanisms is seen as the ‘easiest’ targets. Results from this section will provide insights into how a bicycle should be protected in order to accommodate for the methods used to steal the bicycles. The third section’s requirements were to test hypotheses derived from possible methods of bicycle protection, to see if it is validated by the experts on bicycle theft. These hypotheses were derived from known methods of protection, as well as some novel concepts. The ethical clearance for the interviews was approved under proposal number SU-HSD-002129.

3.2.2 Findings

Bicycles that are stolen in the Western Cape are mainly sold to syndicates that operate within the region, or occasionally to random individuals in the neighbourhood who then use the bicycle as a means of transport. Syndicates allocate people under his/her network, who are requested to go and steal bicycles that fit a certain broad specification, with the number of bicycles required also specified. After the bicycles are stolen, they are brought to the syndicate where they are exchanged for cash. The sales of the bicycles or its parts are onwards then managed by the syndicate. Bicycles are usually sold in another town or neighbourhood, but very seldom to areas close to where they were stolen from.

The main motivator for the theft of these bicycles is to sell it quickly and make money – primarily to fund ‘drug habits’. Bicycles with a retail value of approximately R24 000+ will be sold to syndicates for R2 000 – R3 000, while cheaper bicycles will be sold to random individuals for anywhere between R150 – R250. The bicycle is mostly sold as a unit, but can sometimes be broken up into different parts and then sold per-part. The bicycle or its parts are only sold for cycling purposes, implying that no breakdown of the materials occur for e.g. selling to metal smelters.

The factors that determine the type of bicycle that is stolen include: (1) the specification requested by the syndicate (if present), (2) the method used to lock the bicycle and the environment it is locked in, (3) the bicycle’s age and perceived value, and (4) the type of bicycle (road or mountain bike). The preferred bicycle is a “disc brake bicycle”, which refers to a bicycle of higher value and usually implies a more recent model (by year). Mountain bicycles are more preferred than “thin wheeled bicycles” (road bicycles). The interviewees stated that road bicycle’s and much older model bicycles will very seldom be stolen, except if the opportunity (bicycle’s lock-up method, time of day, environment) is very favourable when such a bicycle is encountered. Very distinctive bicycle’s such as the Stellenbosch University Matie

Bicycle’s or yellow MTN Qhubeka Bicycles will also be stolen despite their distinctiveness,

since they can be resprayed or broken up into parts.

If a bicycle as a whole cannot be stolen, it is also favourable to steal valuable bicycle parts. The interviewees made it clear that “almost any [bicycle] part” will be stolen if the opportunity exists. The wheels and frame are certainly seen as the most attractive parts to steal, but items such as seats, gears, handlebars, brakes and saddlebags will all be stolen if the situation is attractive enough.

The execution of a bicycle theft is found to include careful planning and observation, combined with improvisation and risk taking. The initiating factor for stealing a bicycle is not spontaneous, as it is requested by a syndicate or client, so thieves go out with the intention of stealing a bicycle and prepare accordingly. Yet, due to the broad specification given for the bicycle to be stolen, the specific bicycle that is chosen comes down to an opportunistic situation that requires spontaneity and risk. Thieves go out with the intention to steal a bicycle and therefore prepare accordingly by having the right equipment and choosing an appropriate time of day. They plan and prepare thoroughly before attempting to steal a bicycle, carefully choosing bicycle locking mechanisms and environments that are the easiest and least risky, sometimes working in teams to monitor the environment or distract bystanders. The most attractive opportunity is looked for based on the direct environment the bicycle is in, the way the bicycle is secured, the threat of authorities, and the potential for attention to be drawn to them within the surroundings.

The ideal time for stealing a bicycle is between sunset and sunrise, although this does not limit the potential window in which a bicycle is stolen. Less populated areas with little traffic is the most favourable by area, but interviewees claim they will even steal a bicycle in a busy public space such as the exit of a mall. “We help each other to keep others busy, and the other one steals the bicycle”, one interviewee explained. The ideal scenario for a thieve is to “identify a potential bicycle in a vacant area, remove a bolt cutter from your back pack as you approach the bicycle, cut the chain and drive away with the bicycle”. The most common equipment used by thieves to break the locking mechanisms on a bicycle is a bolt cutter to cut cables or locks, a crowbar to break open locks or any steel frames the bicycle is locked to, a hacksaw to cut through pipes or smaller cables, and a hammer to break a lock with impact. These methods are very effective in breaching the majority of existing bicycle lock-up methods. Any chain or cable that can fit into a bolt cutter is the easiest to cut open, while locks are also removed easily with a crowbar or hammer. Thicker steel is difficult to breach, as a saw is required to cut through it.

Various hypotheses involved in protecting a bicycle was tested, and possible conceptual solutions proposed and tested with the interviewees. The method of bicycle protection that was the most affective according to the interviewees was a bicycle tracker – a unit that is placed inside the bicycle’s frame and allows the bicycle’s owner to determine the location of the bicycle after the bicycle has been stolen. The most effective methods to physically secure the bicycle came down to any material that is too big to fit into a bolt cutter, material that cannot be broken by utilising a crowbar’s leverage, and materials which are difficult to cut through with a hacksaw.

The most effective theft deterring methods according to the interviewees are CCTV cameras in the vicinity, and an alarm system linked to the bicycle. According to the interviewees, “we will be very cautious to enter where there is cameras”, but “if people can reach the camera they will cover it and steal the bicycle.” An alarm system connected to the bicycle, or one that is triggered during the attempted theft of the bicycle, is also found to be a very effective method of deterring thieves. The reason for the effectiveness of the alarm comes down to the attention that is drawn as the alarm sounds. The bicycles are stolen in a manner that is as quick as possible and draws the least amount of attention, therefore the sounding of an alarm draws attention and notifies authorities, deterring the thief. One interviewee stated that “if an alarm sounds if I am stealing a bicycle, that bicycle will immediately be left alone and we will run”. Even if the alarm is not connected to a response team, the attention that is drawn to the individual is enough to stop him from stealing the bicycle. If any form of sensors or possible alarm systems are noted, the interviewers were “very cautious” to go there. When the interviewees were asked what methods they would use to protect a bicycle as effectively as possible, proposals included a camera, an alarm system, or an electric shock on the locking mechanism when trying to breach it.

The full interview’s question paper and summarised notes can be found in Appendix B on page 96.

3.2.3 Conclusion

This chapter provides valuable insights on the motives behind bicycle theft, the methods and tools used to steal the bicycles, as well as evaluations of concepts to potentially protect a bicycle. The insights gained from this research activity is extremely valuable, and will aid in the formulation of the requirements, product design specifications, and will also provide strong performance metrics that will be used to measure the results.