Tweedehands Fiets

We received two letters in the mail last week.

The first was from our insurance company here in Belgie about the claim we made on our gestolen fiets (stolen bikes) It stated something like 'because the bikes were outside as opposed to inside, they will not pay'. Didn't matter that they were locked to each other and locked to a bike rack and were stolen. Plus, Ross lives on the 3rd floor - not real practical for toting a bike or two up and down three flights of stairs each day.

This is so foreign to me (pun intended) because up until now I would never have thought to keep our bikes inside. And depending on the state - I'll use Texas for this example - theft of more than $500 but less than $1500 (our bikes qualify for this) is a Class A misdemeanor and the penalty is 1) not more than 1 year in the county jail and/or 2) not more than a fine of $4000.

We are a bit surprised with all the bike-riding encouragement, there isn't a little more interest in some type of deterrent for those who steal them. Not so. Remember, the Leuven police basically told Ross when he filed his theft report - "If you see them, let us know."

It does seem they've figured out somewhat of a system for dealing with "found" previously gestolen fiets (stolen bikes) because the second letter we received this week was addressed to Ross and was from the Leuven Politie. They found our bikes?!

Actually no, they didn't find our bikes, but they did invite us to a sale of tweedehands fiets (secondhand bikes) on a Sunday morning in August from 10 - Noon. It's basically bikes that have been left behind at the bus station or gestolen and now found.

We'll be there.

If for no other reasons than 1) to attempt to buy our bikes back should they be there or 2) watch someone else walk away with their new purchase of our bikes.

Oh the irony that this brochure was enclosed in the letter from the police. A business has spun off as a result of so many gestolen fiets - just rent the next one from Velo.

What'll it cost? Six months for 34 euro is quite the bargain since our last ones "rented" at 6 months for ~ 250 euro. Each.