Ghost Bikes are also known as Suicide Bikes or Franken Bikes. These bicycles are put together from an array of often stolen bicycle parts. They disassemble stolen bikes to reassemble them into an unrecognizable configuration. A frame from this bike, handlebars from here, a seat from over there, perhaps wheels from a fourth. They file the serial numbers off the bike frames, and Voila! A perfect transportation device that can’t be tracked. However, cable brakes are sometimes specific to a particular bicycle, handlebar, and tire configuration. So, they just skip the brakes completely. These brakeless bicycles roam our city as a favourite method of transport by drug gang criminals. They run into pedestrians and cars without accountability.
We stop all this now. Bicycles require brakes to run on our streets. No brakes means the bike is seized by police on sight. No bike on our streets should be without a serial number. If an old bicycle frame has an illegible serial number, the owner can file a registration for free with the City Police. They will receive a permanent serial number sticker that must then be shown on the bicycle. All bicycles found by police without legitimate serial numbers will be immediately seized.
The illegal black market in stolen bicycles will no longer be allowed to operate freely. Drug gang criminals on foot are less able to operate around our city. It is time we take our city back. It’s a small step but a meaningful one. A vote for Cary will be for a real change at City Hall!