‘Bike Thief’ - NY Times

Bike Thief: The filmmaker Casey Neistat conducts an experiment in New York City, where he locks up his own bike and brazenly tries to steal it, to determine whether onlookers or the police would intervene.

I was 20 years old when I moved to New York City on a Friday in June 2001. I brought all the clothes I could fit in a big duffel bag, along with my bicycle. Monday morning I was to report to my new job as a bike messenger. Saturday, my first full day in Manhattan, my bike was stolen. 

A forum for short, opinionated documentaries, produced with creative latitude by independent filmmakers and artists.

• About Op-Docs | How to Submit »
• View Related Videos »

Also by Casey Neistat

• Op-Docs: Texting While Walking(January 9, 2012)

• VIDEO: iPhone's Siri vs. My Human Assistant

In the nearly 11 years since that day, I have had countless bikes and parts stolen. I’ve used the most secure locks, registered my bike with the N.Y.P.D., and parked in only the most conspicuous locations. But I’ve found only one sure way of keeping my bike secure: keeping it indoors. During business hours I keep my bike in my office and when I get home I carry it up four flights of stairs.

[Keep reading at NY Times]