AMBASSADOR BIKE STOLEN: We miss you, Bernard!

Yes, it happens to everyone. Last Friday, one of our Bicycle Ambassadors fleet bikes -the Fuji Touring bikes you may have seen them riding- was plucked right out from under our nose.

Our Ambassador team travels to all our events by bike (many times with a trailer in tow), so its no surprise that after the spending so much time with them, all of our fleet bikes have names. We miss you, Bernard!

We have figured out a Plan B to keep the team up and running until we can replace Bernard, but we still need your help:

1 - Please keep your eyes peeled for a bike matching the description below.
2 - Review what you should do to protect yourself if your bike is stolen.
3 - Review what you should do if your bike is stolen.

1. KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR OUR MISSING BIKE!!!

• 58cm Fuji Touring Bike
• Champagne and evergreen in color
• Silver Planet Bike fenders (plastic)
  
• Black Incredibell on left side of handlebar
  
• I BIKE PHL sticker on top tube.
• Burley trailer hitch on rear wheel
• Responds to Bernard
• Email Breen@bicyclecoalition.org, or call 215-399-1598 x701, if you know anything.
  

2. PROACTIVE MEASURES TO PROTECT YOURSELF

When you first get a bike:

• Write down the serial number of your bike(s) and keep in an easily accessible place (I like to keep mine in my cell phone)
• Take a few photos of the bike and of anything unique about it (stickers, fenders, ect.) (photos are important if you ever want to make an insurance claim)
• If you have a super nice bike, check with your insurance company to see if you need an additional insurance rider.
• Review the comprehensive Advice for Locking Your Bike in Philly on this blog.
  

3. MY BIKE WAS STOLEN - WHAT NOW??

• Call 911 and report the theft (provide your serial number) - It is very important to report theft to the police - bikes thefts are severely under reported and we use those statistics with our advocacy work.
• Log the theft on SeeClickFix (the Bicycle Coalition Wiki for reporting major and minor incidents)
• Post a note on Craigslist with photos of your bike.
• Email local bike shops with photos and serial number.

In closing, getting your bike stolen really stinks! Put your energy to good use and report the theft to as many people as possible. It is not unheard of to recover a stolen bike.

What additional tips can you share for recovering a stolen bike? Any good stories?