BikingToronto

July 24: Today's Headlines

2008-07-24T08:27:00.002-04:00

North Bay Nugget: Toronto may register bikes with police

An anti-theft plan that would see bikes automatically registered with police when purchased could be in place by next year, the chairman of the Toronto Cycling Committee says. The city is scrambling to keep up with an explosion in cycling.

CTV: Police find another stash of bikes in theft probe

A third person has been arrested as part of the bike theft investigation. Police said Wednesday that a 37-year-old woman was taken into custody.

Toronto Police: Wanted - owners of 1,500 bicycles

"Thefts would go down drastically if everyone registered their bicycle," said Major Crime Unit Det. Izzy Bernardo. "We stop known thieves all the time with different bikes and run the serial numbers but the bikes never show up as stolen on the syste

InsideToronto: More than 2,000 stolen bikes, parts now recovered

Because of the significant quantity, police are looking to relocate the massive cache to a larger warehouse nearby. Visit www.torontopolice.on.ca for further details. Owners of the stolen bicycles must provide proof of ownership.

CBC: Police 'astonished' as number of stolen bikes recovered passes 2,000

"I'm astonished," Supt. Ruth White told reporters outside a garage where police were executing one of the warrants in the morning. "I've never seen this in 30 years, that allegedly one individual can accumulate this many bicycles over this many years."

Star: Bike advocates riled by lack of lanes in Bloor St. redesign

The lack of bike lanes in the redesign of Bloor St. from Church St. to Avenue Rd. flies in the face of provincial planning policies that compel cities to consider the safety of cyclists and ways of reducing traffic congestion and pollution.

Star: Owners slow to show up as stolen bikes sorted

It's not over yet. The investigation continues as a steady stream of tips comes in to Crime Stoppers, and more bikes are expected to be recovered, police said. Anyone who rented garage space to Kenk is being asked to contact police.

CityNews: Bikes Return To Rightful Owners After Raid

A police raid on a west end bike shop has led to a pleasant surprise for several GTA residents reunited with their allegedly stolen rides after a sting operation at the Bicycle Clinic.

CTV: Police seize thousands of bikes in Toronto

The latest cache of more than 200 bicycles was discovered on Dovercourt Road in the city's west end. Police spent a part of Monday afternoon at the scene executing a search warrant. They expect to make more seizures in the weeks to come.

Reuters: Wanted - owners for 1,500 stolen Toronto bicycles

Toronto cyclists often describe their city as one of the bike theft capitals of North America, if not the world. But figures from lockmaker Kryptonite, says Toronto, unlike Philadelphia, Chicago and New York, is not even in North America's Top 10.

Check out more News Headlines on the improved News page - complete with fancy RSS and mailing lists - let the news come to you!

Photo of the Day: Rusty

2008-07-24T06:13:00.002-04:00

Photo by Georgie_grrl

From the Archives: July 24th

2008-07-24T05:32:00.000-04:00

2007:
Photo of the Day: Tues, July 24th
2006:
Royson Forgot About Bikes
July 24th - This Weeks Events

For more glimpses into the past, check out more From the Archives posts or the Archives Page.

July 23: Added Yesterday to the Stolen Bike Listing

2008-07-23T14:32:00.001-04:00

Red and Mango Velo Sport MT...

Red and Mango Velo Sport MTB (Dufferin and Lawrence) (originally posted here) Hey, my bike was stolen right out of my garage! I've had it for 6 years and it cost $500 so the loss is devastating as it probably would have lasted me forever. Details are below... * Make: Velo Sport Mountain Bike * Model: n/a * Colour: Mangoe and Red (very brightly coloured, hard to miss!) * General Description: Very bright, mild rusting on handles. * Date of Theft: Week of July 14/08 (I was away from home) * Location of Theft: Ranee Avenue (Dufferin & Lawrence area) * City: North York * Sorry no photo :(

White Women's Raleigh (King...

White Women's Raleigh (King & Portland) (from craigslist): My bike was stolen from a bike pole at 539 King Street West between the times of 3pm to 8pm. It is a white Raleigh with silver muscle handle bars, thin tires, a white back rack and a bright blue milk crate. If you or anyone you know has seen, knows information about the theft or purchased this bike, please call 416-899-3632. I am offering a $100 reward for the return of my bicycle.

Jamis Komodo MTB (Front and Spadina)

Jamis Komodo MTB (Front & Spadina) (from craigslist) My Jamis Komodo Mountain Bike was stolen last Saturday, June 21 from around the intersection of Front and Spadina. I am offering a no questions asked reward of $500 to anyone who either (a) returns the bike to me or (b) leaves a tip that leads to the return of the bike. Please help, this bike has tremendous sentimental value to me.

July 23: Yesterday on the BikingToronto Community

2008-07-23T14:31:00.001-04:00

joe replied to the discussion STOLEN BIKE :(

joe replied to the discussion Stolen Bike Listing

Danielle867 started a discussion called STOLEN BIKE :(

Danielle867 joined BikingToronto Community. Leave a Comment for Danielle867.

joe started a discussion called Toronto Police May Have Your Stolen Bike

July 23: Today's Headlines

2008-07-23T08:38:00.001-04:00

CBC: Recovered hoard of bicycles overwhelms police facilities

Police said they've busted one of the biggest stolen bike rings in city history and are asking for the public's help to provide any information about other places Kenk may have rented for storage space.

Globe: Primp my ride

"They want to have a bike that's not only very practical but has a sense of urbane sophistication; and then of course a bag to go with that is just rather obvious,"

Globe: Bike culture rolls into the mainstream

It is becoming increasingly difficult to love my fellow cyclists, who are now so empowered by their environmental correctness that they have begun to proclaim their own (naturally superior and far more fashionable) bike "culture."

Sun: 200 more bikes seized

Kenk, who owns the Bicycle Clinic, was sent back to the Don Jail after court ruled more time was needed to allow for cops to lay charges in connection with the recent raids on four locations including Kenk's shop and the Yorkville home he lived at.

Post: Bike theft victims scour police trove

"I'm not aware of any bicycle seizures in the last 28 years that are as great as this," said Detective Sergeant Egidio Roseto. "It's an enormous number of bikes that we've taken from some storage locations."

Globe: Police recover stolen bikes by the hundreds

Superintendent Ruth White said she hasn't seen anything like it in 30 years of policing. "We had a woman identify her bike that was stolen eight years ago," she said, adding that about 70 owners had so far been reunited with their wheels.

Star: Bike theft tally tops 1,200

Over a period of five days, police recovered between 1,200 and 1,500 bicycles, as well as about 1.5 kilos of marijuana and several ounces of crack cocaine, in a store, residence and several garages while executing a series of search warrants.

BlogTO: Recovered Bikes Find Rightful Owners

"Next weekend there will be more to see in a bigger facility," said Evans. Stay tuned for information on where and when this will be set up. More than 50 bicycles have so far been identified and returned to their rightful owners.

Check out more News Headlines on the improved News page - complete with fancy RSS and mailing lists - let the news come to you!

Photo of the Day: La Carrera

2008-07-23T08:23:00.001-04:00

Photo of the Day: La Carrera, originally uploaded by movingtargetzine.

From the Archives: July 23rd

2008-07-23T05:45:00.000-04:00

2007:
Councillor Michael Thompson: Blame the drivers, not intersection
Toronto is now officially planning to be the Greenest city in North America
New Map on BikeFriday!
Photo of the Day: Mon, July 23rd

2006:
Education and Safety Subcommittee Meeting
Wente: Your Typical Driver

For more glimpses into the past, check out more From the Archives posts or the Archives Page.

July 22: Today's Headlines

2008-07-22T09:49:00.001-04:00

Sun: More bikes recovered

One by one, vintage cruisers and high-end racing bikes were brought out over the course of an hour from the back garage, which was riddled with garbage bags and tires -- filling four police cargo trucks.

Sun: Wheels of good fortune pay off

An 18-month-old girl was one of the happiest riders yesterday after Toronto Police opened their garage doors to reunite cyclists with their stolen bikes.

Star: Police line up battered wheels for cyclists

Katherine Dalziel had almost given up hope when she saw it, lying wheels-up on the concrete floor of the police warehouse: her beloved blue and white Norco road bike, gone missing from a Financial District bike post just over a week ago.

Sun: Police bait bike draws in panhandler

The 40-year-old homeless man with a long rap sheet was nabbed by police who allege he stole a so-called "bait bike" in front of the LCBO on Spadina Ave. in full view of plain-clothes officers.

Sun: A bonanza of bikes

"It's made my day, this seriously has made my day!" said cyclist Navid Taslimi, 36. "It's about time."

Star: New Eastern Avenue bike lanes spark some four-wheel fury

While we were shooting photos, a driver pulled over and launched into a sweaty rage, saying it's an "unbelievably stupid thing to do," given the traffic congestion and alternatives for cyclists.

Photo of the Day: Nude Ride on the Harbourfront

2008-07-22T09:47:00.001-04:00

Photo of the Day: Nude Ride on the Harbourfront, originally uploaded by PhotoFusion.

July 22: Weekly Site Daily Digest

2008-07-22T08:53:00.004-04:00

There is a lot of posting here on BikingToronto. Here's a weekly digest of everything posted last week, arranged by day. Check out the Daily Digest Category to see more of these posts.

Monday:

Tuesday:

Wednesday:

Thursday:

Friday:

Saturday:

Sunday:

From the Archives: July 22nd

2008-07-22T05:45:00.000-04:00

2007:
Photo of the Day: Sun, July 22nd

2006:
Come On, Get Bikely
More Photos From The Leslie Spit Ride

For more glimpses into the past, check out more From the Archives posts or the Archives Page.

Toronto Police may have your Stolen Bike!

2008-07-21T13:52:00.003-04:00

From the Toronto Police, who just busted Igor Kenk and his Stolen Bicycle Racket:

Stolen Recovered Bicycles

from 927 Queen St W and other storage units...
please pass along to your bicycle networks..

Public Viewing Monday July 21, 2008 10am-6pm - 9 Hanna Ave, Toronto

More public viewing to be announced when all the recovered bikes are sorted out...

Anyone with knowledge of more storage units of stolen bicycles associated to 'The Bicycle Clinic' operated by Igor Kenk... notify 14 division 416-808-1400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) , http://222tips.com or Text TIP312 and your message to CRIMES...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=IR0XQrQ-npE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVlRB2aZ_-k

http://youtube.com/watch?v=tit18nRnJaY

http://youtube.com/watch?v=cchGSrwg_cQ

Facebook Group has photos posted of the volume of bikes...

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=21195987216

--
Scott Mills
Toronto Crime Stoppers
Community Youth Officer
Legal Graffiti Art Coordinator
www.torontopolice.on.ca
www.222tips.com

July 21: Photos of the Week

2008-07-21T08:28:00.000-04:00

Happy Monday!

Just in case you missed one of the extremely popular Photos of the Day, here's a re-cap from last week.

Photo of the Day: Quadracycles

Photo by chlywhite

Photo of the Day: Kensington

Photo by ardenstreet

Photo of the Day: Bent

Photo by Matthew Blackett

Photo of the Day: Criterium

Photo by wvs

Photo of the Day: Pause

Photo by GOTORONTO

Photo of the Day: Transportation Options

Photo by St-Even

Photo of the Day: Prince Edward Viaduct

Photo of the Day: Ferry

2008-07-21T06:23:00.000-04:00

Photo by Martinho

From the Archives: July 21st

2008-07-21T05:44:00.000-04:00

2007:
Photo of the Day - Sat, July 21st

2006:
Bike and Bus Picnic This Sunday!
One Photo From The Leslie Spit

For more glimpses into the past, check out more From the Archives posts or the Archives Page.

Photo of the Day: Quadracycles

2008-07-20T06:22:00.000-04:00

Photo by chlywhite

From the Archives: July 20th

2008-07-20T05:43:00.000-04:00

2007:
The whole Adult Bike Helmet Issue... Again
Toronto's Weekly Carnage
Photo of the Day - Fri, July 20th

2006:
First Meeting of the Toronto Cyclists Union
July 20th - Bike News from Other Cities

For more glimpses into the past, check out more From the Archives posts or the Archives Page.

Photo of the Day: Kensington

2008-07-19T06:20:00.000-04:00

Photo by ardenstreet

From the Archives: July 19th

2008-07-19T05:43:00.000-04:00

2007:
South East Toronto Bicycle User Group Meeting Tonight
Bridging the Railyards at CityPlace
U of T Scarborough forms new Bikeshare program
Photo of the Day: Thurs, July 19th
Around the World: How To Find Your Bike at Amsterdam Central
Around the World: Bicycle "Deathmatch" in Berkeley

2006:
Biking On The Spit Tonight?

For more glimpses into the past, check out more From the Archives posts or the Archives Page.

July 18: Weekly News Wrap-up

2008-07-18T15:00:00.002-04:00

Happy Friday everyone!

If you don't know already, Friday's the day BikingToronto wraps up all the bikey news from the last week and puts it all in a nice little package for your easy digestion. Digesting the news this way is far better for your tummy than chewing on newspapers. That's a medical fact. I checked.

Even better is that you don't even have to come to BikingToronto.com or your RSS feedreader (if you read BikingToronto that way) for your weekly wrap-up of news... you can subscribe to have a weekly email sent right to your inbox! The convenience is overwhelming.

Big in bikey news this week is the whole issue of bike theft. It's pretty prevalent in a big city like Toronto, and the cops are starting to do something about it. Also, if you don't know, you can post about your stolen bike on the BikingToronto Community (which has a contest running now that you can get in on).

Toronto Police Bust a Bike Thief and Notorious BikeShop Owner
Good news from the streets this morning. Toronto Police set up a "bait bike" operation and two undercover officers watched Igor Kenk, the owner of the The Bicycle Clinic (notorious for selling stolen bikes) as he directed a thief with boltcutters to steal two bikes and then paid him.

Toronto Bike Theft in the News
Bike Theft in Toronto has been in the news recently, which most of the major news outlets picking up on the fact that a ton of bikes are stolen in Toronto... with theft numbers totalling about 50,000 over the past 10 years, and 5,000 reported stolen in 2007.

Here are all the bike-related news stories in the media over the last week:

CBC: Bike store owner charged in bike theft

Both Kenk and Jean Laveau have been charged with one count of theft under $5,000, one count of attempted theft under $5,000, and one count of possession of property obtained by crime. Laveau faces an additional charge of possessing burglary tools.

BlogTO: Bike Sting Nabs Igor At His Bicycle Clinic

Aside from offering these tips and providing a bicycle registration program, Toronto cops have largely turned a blind eye to this ongoing problem in our city. Until now.

NOW Magazine: Whose lane is it anyway?

When is a bicycle no longer a bicycle? When it’s equipped with a motor, right? But it’s not that simple, as a provincial electric bike pilot project is making clear.

CityNews: Bike Theft Rampant In The City, But There Are Ways You Can Protect Yours

"If we have an individual suspected of stealing a bicycle for example, we could take the model number, the registration number on the bicycle, run it through our database and find information that it was stolen on this date and at that time."

CityNews: 'Lane Splitting' Phenomenon Worries Cops And Drivers

The act of riding a lane line on a street or highway, allowing riders of motor bikes or bicycles to use the space between traffic and move at top speed isn't legal in Ontario, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

CityNews: Almost 5,000 Bikes Reported Stolen This Year Alone In T.O.

"We do recover a lot of bicycles and the challenge for us becomes getting them back to the proper owners," said Toronto Police Const. Scott Mills. "And if it's not reported, we can't find it."

Sun: Bike thefts 'really big problem'

According to Toronto Police, more than 50,000 bikes have been reported stolen in the city since 1997. Last year alone, 4,585 bicycles were reported stolen in Toronto.

Globe: We want bike posts with A.T.T.I.T.U.D.E.

The iconic structure will be made of metre-high block letters spelling "KENSINGTON" and is designed to accommodate about 25 bikes, which can be locked to posts supporting each letter.

Business is burning up at the new Duke's - thanks to oil prices

At its new location at 425 Richmond St. near Spadina, opened in April, business is booming thanks to high gas prices and the ever-growing sense of green-friendliness among Torontonians.

Star: On a tour of our greenscape

Tour de Greenbelt, a series of routes through partially protected rural land around the Golden Horseshoe, lets cyclists explore what's beyond city streets

Globe: Man hit trying to cross busy Toronto highway with bike

The man, in his 30s, tried to walk his bicycle across the northbound lane of the busy highway, said Sgt. Tim Burrows of Traffic Services. He made it across two lanes before he was hit by a red Honda convertible headed northbound

CityNews: Cyclist Survives DVP Crash, But Could Face Charges
A cyclist is lucky to be alive after he was involved in a crash in a place he should never have been - the Don Valley Parkway.

July 18: Today's Headlines

2008-07-18T08:33:00.001-04:00

CBC: Bike store owner charged in bike theft

Both Kenk and Jean Laveau have been charged with one count of theft under $5,000, one count of attempted theft under $5,000, and one count of possession of property obtained by crime. Laveau faces an additional charge of possessing burglary tools.

BlogTO: Bike Sting Nabs Igor At His Bicycle Clinic

Aside from offering these tips and providing a bicycle registration program, Toronto cops have largely turned a blind eye to this ongoing problem in our city. Until now.

NOW Magazine: Whose lane is it anyway?

When is a bicycle no longer a bicycle? When it's equipped with a motor, right? But it's not that simple, as a provincial electric bike pilot project is making clear.

July 18: Toronto's Weekly Carnage

2008-07-18T08:23:00.004-04:00

About Toronto's Weekly Carnage:

Toronto's Weekly Carnage is inspired by NYC's Streetsblog Weekly Carnage feature. The aim of this series of posts is to bring attention to the death and destruction wrought by automobiles and an auto-centric culture. Pursuing policies promoting walking, cycling and public transit could help reduce the carnage.

Photo of the Day: Bent

2008-07-18T06:30:00.000-04:00

Photo by Matthew Blackett

From the Archives: July 18th

2008-07-18T05:42:00.000-04:00

2007:
Pickering Bike Cops: Making A Difference
The New Family Car is a Bike
Photo of the Day - Wed, July 18th
Around the World: ESPN says Bicycles are the new SUV
Around the World: Self-Appointed Saint Cyclists in England

2006:
250... What's Next?
Back From Nova Scotia
Promotions Subcommittee Meeting

For more glimpses into the past, check out more From the Archives posts or the Archives Page.