This was in The Independent this weekend:
This came from the Albany Bicycle Coalition mailing list:
I am concerned about the bike thefts at the Honest Weight Co-Op and lack of good bike parking there for shoppers, memeber workers and paid employees. So why am I writing to ABC? I’m looking for support, ideas and info for how go about solving this problem.
I just returned to member work yeserday, 9/29, after a two week vacation and found no designated area in the back warehouse area for bike parking. People who work back there are asking that we not park bikes there and no one I spoke with had an alternative – Nate H. says he has no power. Rob at the front desk says talk to Cindi….
Claire Nolan suggests we ask that the bike rack be moved to one of the in front of the store parking spaces so I put that in the suggestion box. It’s a good idea but doesn’t address other issues. When I am in the store for an extended period I would be happier knowing my bike was safe and dry no matter what happens outside. I imagine this would be even more important for paid workers.
I plan to write a letter to the board addressing the issues of safety and sustainability and to find out who or what committee can make something happen. I would hope that others would write letters and make phone calls. And if anyone knows the chain of responsibility to make this more efficient and effective, please share.
This is from today’s Albany Times Union:
Disabled man’s mobility taken in street theft
Custom three-wheeler was Jeff Elsbree’s sole means of transportBy PAUL GRONDAHL, Staff writer
First published: Friday, September 5, 2008
ALBANY — Stolen bikes are commonplace, but when someone cut the lock and made off with Jeff Elsbree’s custom three-wheeler, an otherwise routine theft robbed a 52-year-old disabled man of his independence.
Elsbree, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident when he was 18, was being fitted for a new arm brace at a physical therapist’s office on Madison Avenue Tuesday evening when his trusty red tricycle was stolen.
He locked it up with a chain and padlock, as usual. He came outside 30 minutes later to find his only mode of transportation gone.
“I don’t try to hurt anyone. I try to help people. Then I get my bike stolen,” said Elsbree, who speaks haltingly and has suffered seizures. His left arm and hand are withered and his left leg is in a brace. He uses a crutch and walks with difficulty.
Police told him that it’s unlikely, as more time elapses, that the trike will be recovered.
Bob from Liberty On Bikes passed this along from Ward 9 Common Council rep Jim Sano:
Folks,
Be on the lookout we seem to be experiencing some bicycle thefts. I chased two people away on my block last Friday and we had a bike taken off the porch(locked) on my street last night. I would advise if it’s a valuable bike to lock it up and store it in your garage or back porch and please keep an eye out and report all suspicious activity.
Jim Sano
