Lose your bike on the Playa? So did at least 3000 other people. In 2010, our camp had 12 bikes stolen within the first 3 days. This year, using cheap Wal-Mart combination cable locks, we didn’t lose one. Of course, we picked up a few at the end, as careless Burners abandoned their bikes as our camps like one big MOOPS.
Over at the unofficial Facebook, Burner Mark has come up with what we think is an excellent idea.
Oh!! Oh!! Oh!! Why don’t we start a new idea in our community?!! Since clearly it doesn’t work to tell everyone to lock their bike. Half the folks never do, and then get stuck without theirs…
So we start saying this: “New Burning Man Rule: Locked bikes are personal property. Unlocked bikes are considered a gift and rideable by anyone.” That way, you can be part of the “gift biking” program (along with all the other “bike gift takers” that come every year) OR you can start locking your bike?!! Everybody Wins!
,,,
Amsterdam’s famous “black bikes”
Burners.Me is all about embracing change, rather than resisting it or bureacratizing it. We also believe, don’t fight battles you can’t win. And that to win without fighting is best. It’s a shame that things have come to this, but this idea would work. Look at Amsterdam – there are so many bikes for free, if you steal one, someone else will just take another.
Forget providing green bikes. Let Burners gift their own – or lock them up, so it’s clear that they weren’t meant as a gift.
The bikes in Amsterdam are for rent, not free.
While Burning Man is underway, it’s a city much like many others. There are good mindful people, and those that will fuck you while you sleep. A bike lock is cheap insurance that your bike will be just where you left it.
Our camp of nearly 30 bikes & trikes lost 2 bikes to thieves. “BIke swaps?” Fuck that. Stealing is putting your needs above others.
Dislike, We are all friends out there. Although I realize bike swaps happen, I don’t think burners should be forced to make yet another purchase in order to protect their bikes. We all know what our bikes look like, and the burner community is not about “stealing” and taking someones else bike is just that. Bike theft is no different than entering into a neighbors camp and taking supplies. What woudl you suggest next? Locking your front door?
Hmmmm, Wal-Mart ideology, Burning Man ideology?
I was thinking the same thing. The only issue would be knowing how to turn on the lights on each bike. Maybe if we all joined forces we could standardize the place to put the battery pack.