Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Green Tikit Stolen @ UC Berkley


From a post by Lynette Chiang on the Yak List:

"My *brand new* Bike Friday Tikit was stolen yesterday (12/26/07) on the UC Berkeley campus. It was locked with a U lock to the bike racks on the south side of the Valley Life Science Building. It is GREEN, and the serial number on the frame is 446. Attached is a picture of a green Tikit. Paul at Bike Friday said he’s pretty sure it is the only green Tikit in the Bay Area.

I would be so appreciative if you could forward this information to any Bay Area Bike Friday folks, or cycling groups, or whatever you think would be useful. It is such a distinctive bike, that the chances of it being noticed would hopefully be better than 0.

I was barely able to afford this bike, and purchased it for an upcoming international bike tour (and hopefully many more after that).

My contact info is:
Eric Berlow
eberlow@ucmerced.edu
ericberlow@gmail.com

209-625-6700 (cell)

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

Sincerely, Eric"

Update from Eric [looks like his insurance will cover the cost of his stolen Tikit...=-)]:

"Hi Lynette,

A number of people have emailed me with the same question.
I’m still a bit confused exactly how it happened.

I locked the main frame of the bike (the thick cross bar) to a u-shaped bike rack with a Bull Dog U-Lock (the stubby model).
<3hrs>
There was no sign of a broken lock or anything.
In fact, I kept staring at the spot wondering if I had indeed locked my bike there.

It was a very quiet day on the UCB campus (26 December) – not many bikes in the parking area, not many people walking around.
Quiet enough of a day that as I locked my bike, I thought, hmmm this bright green new bike sure does stand out here.
I considered folding it and bringing it inside, but had recently been reprimanded for bringing a bike in the building, so I didn’t.

I guess the lesson there is to always listen to the little voice in your head that says, “hmmm not a good idea.”

Other news folks might be interested in:
If you purchase your bike with a credit card, it is very likely that you have insurance on the card that will pay the deductible for your property insurance.
In my case, my property insurance has $1000 deductible, and the Mastercard folks said they will likely pay all of that.


Hope that helps.

e. "

Update #2 - Eric got his Tikit back! click here to read about it......=-)

3 comments:

galfromdownunder said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
galfromdownunder said...

Once more without typos ...

Vik,
I didn't get a chance to thank you for your email about the tikit On Trial experiment - was too busy dodging yellow cabs and surly guards! Great blog, and I'll link it to the tikit page - or perhaps you have a good shot of yourself with the bike and I can put you in the gallery, and link THAT to the tikit page. Feel free to also link http://www.bikefriday.com/tikit/trial07 - the more people we can get out of cars and onto folding bikes, any folding bike, the better.
I read your profile and it's great to see a Friday person into IDM/electronica. You'll have to take me out clubbing sometime, most of the Friday folk tell me they're 'too old for that kind of music'. Never!

Vik said...

I linked the Tikit on Trial video post to the URL for the Tikit on Trial webpage. I agree that the more people we get on bicycles the better!

I'll work on getting a shot of me astride my Tikit - it may take a little while though.

Not only are you never too old to go dancing, but cycling and dancing will keep you much younger much longer!...=-)