Coatbridge family’s fury after birthday bike is stolen

Jul 8 2009 by Judith Tonner, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

Family’s fury after birthday bike is stolen

A YOUNG family have been left furious after a bicycle which they saved hard to buy for their father’s birthday was stolen from his workplace.

The distinctive Shock Wave bike was taken from changing rooms at the factory where Iain Fleming works on Greenhill industrial estate.

It had been a gift in April 2008 from wife Gayle and children Ryan, 11, and Lauren-Leigh, nine – who spent months tackling household chores and odd jobs to earn money to put towards the present.

Now the Flemings, of Woodside Street in the Kirkwood area of Coatbridge, are echoing police warnings for cyclists to be on their guard concerning their bikes, especially during the summer months.

Gayle said: “My husband had put his bike in the factory changing rooms, which is usually quite safe, but after he’d been at work for about an hour, a colleague said it had gone missing.

“At first he thought it was a joke but when he went down to look it was gone, and he searched the industrial estate but to no avail.

“Earlier, a man had peeked his head in the doorway and asked if he was in the right place for the office; nobody questioned it at the time but instead of going in, he then disappeared – and the bike was gone shortly afterwards.

“The kids are pretty upset – they were hoovering, washing dishes, helping with garden and doing odd jobs while we saved up for it and they even suggested selling their own bikes which are due to be renewed and putting the money towards their dads.

“What bothers us most is that this was a present and it’s been taken from under our noses; I’m really angry and disgusted that somebody saw fit to do this.”

The family bought the dark grey bike, worth £300, for a bargain half price from Halfords at Airdrie retail park on Gartlea Road.

It now has two different wheel rims, one silver and one black, and had further distinctive modifications including a handlebar pedometer, blue security chain under the seat, and part of the seat pole having been sawn off to reduce its height.

Gayle added: “We never thought to mark the bike, but it’s quite distinctive and it’s even custom-made to Iain’s height and weight.

“We know it’s probably gone but would love to hear from anyone who has information about it, and we especially want to warn other people to be on their guard.”

Constable Kenny Ferguson of the community safety department at Airdrie police office reiterated that advice and issued a series of safety tips to bike owners.

He said: “Always lock your bicycle, even if you are just leaving it for a couple of minutes; lock it through the frame and to an immovable object like a proper bike rack, lamp post or railings.

“If yours is a very expensive bike, don’t lock it in the same place on a regular basis so it won’t be noticed and stolen to order.

“Secure removable parts and make the lock, chain and bike hard to manoeuvre when parked to stop thieves smashing it open.

“Personalise and mark your bike in at least two separate locations with your postcode and door number, take a clear, colour photograph of your bike and make a written record of its description, including make, model and any unique features.”