The real problem is the penalty. In most areas I know of, stealing stealing a $500 car would get you felony while a $500 bike would be a misdemeanor. Simply c

The real problem is the penalty. In most areas I know of, stealing stealing a $500 car would get you felony while a $500 bike would be a misdemeanor. Simply changing this law and conducting a couple sting operations would probably result in a dramatic reduction in bike thefts. The current state of affairs is just another anti-bike pressure (intentional or not).