3.9M views · Mar 20, 2012 · 3:47 · 1 HN recommender · 3 mentions · discussed 2013–2024
Casey Neistat's social experiment in New York City where he tries to 'steal' his own bike with various tools, showing how little stops passers-by from helping.
Why Hacker News points people here: HN cites it as a demonstration of how easily bikes get stolen in public.
“First, a white guy. Then, a black guy. Finally, a woman”HN comment, 2014
“This guy attempted to 'steal' his own bike in NYC”
A man attempts to steal his own bike in NYC.
Two relevant videos. This guy attempted to 'steal' his own bike in NYC: this video There's also this one. First, a white guy. Then, a black guy. Finally, a woman: link
“Too easy to pick/steal”
Illustrates how easily bikes are stolen.
Agreed. - Spacey or dedicated lanes are a major requirement. And in my fantasies I'd like two kinds of lanes, speedy and casual. Riding around 25kmph for commuting can be dangerous if the lane thins out, people ride/run slow, kids play around. - Also, secured parking spots. I refrain from riding when I don't know where I'm gonna park. Too easy to pick/steal this video . Or a <20 bucks tagging device (in 2013 it's probably easy for many manufacturers)
“given what happens to cheaper bikes in NYC [1]”
Example of what happens to bikes left outdoors in NYC.
I haave had a Babboe City (without an e-assist) [0] in the NYC for ~8 years -- and mostly leave it in storage in the NYC suburbs. It's a heavy beast without the an e-assist, and the few times I've had it in NYC & parked it (during daylight hours), people have left trash in it. I can't fathom leaving a ~$6,000 bike locked outdoors overnight, given what happens to cheaper bikes in NYC [1]. I'd love to use it more, but it's impractical. [0] link [1] this video
