BICYCLE THIEVES.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17127, 23 April 1921, Page 11

BICYCLE THIEVES.

TO' TH« MHTOtt 07 "TUB VKBSft. Sir —Nothing could be more absurd than the leniency tmown to bicyclo Biieak-tttiieves. Bicyolos are the same to ft labouring man now us a horse was before they Came into daily, use, tor attending, to one's business. Yet a man would be sentenced to from two to hve years for horse or cattle stealing, l'ne idea of punishment for theft is to protect the public; and to save as a deterrent, to others doing the-'; same thing. This "when called .upon" business'is just an encouragement to ttiw kind of offence; I understand that as many as 30 bicycles have been reported as being stolen to tho police in orte week. Then, there should be some law or regulation-for "illegally using" either bicycle or motor-car. At present, if an active young man has a journey to go or any distance to cover, whether -.m business.or pleasure, the. game has conio into practice of slipping "on to tho nearest unlocked, bicycle and skipping ■ off, if only to see his best girl. Absolutely, some young chaps boast of such, 'free rides and of leaving the bicycle at the end of the ride, whether, in the gutter, or sometimes in a garden .or back yard, and, chancing the owner. 3 adyertising.for.it. Magistrates do not seem to*.appreciate the wrong thols done to those who use a bicycle to go to and from work.—-Yours, etc., VICTIM.