What would you do?

[Rusty the Scoob]

This morning I pulled up to my usual parking area, a free-for-all spot in Boston that's unmonitored. The bike next to mine had it's lights on with no owner in sight, so anyone could just start it and ride away. What would you do?

[Awesome]

Wheelies.

[Kazinator]

Call me so I can drive it away

[Kazinator]

Actually reminds me, I remember back in high school someone forgot to turn off their car and it was out in the parking lot running all day

[Degsy]

Baitbike?

[Rusty the Scoob]

Don't think so. I see this bike all the time, it's an unofficial commuter-parking area.

[TheIglu]

Take the key and leave a note with your cell phone number.

[SteveM]

this

[scottfromboston]

Take the key and leave a note with your cell phone number.

+some integer

[Rusty the Scoob]

Cool. That's exactly what I did.

I'm not sure if I've seen this guy so I don't know how to make sure it's really him and not some thief... but the note's in his helmet, tucked in by his gloves, so some random person almost certainly won't find it.

[e30addict]

I've left the key in my bike far too many times :-(

[Dip Dungles]

Take the key and leave a note with your cell phone number.

Exactly. then bitch them out about how stupid they are.

[mycirus]

I would have turned it off and left the key in it. If he cant find his key he might not make it to the gloves to find a note. I would say mind your own buisness and leave it.

[Rusty the Scoob]

Well, I considered that, too. My thought was that he'll probably check the bike first if he notices it's not in his pocket. I left a 2nd note in his toolbag, too. If he doesn't look either place, then.... [shrug]

I guess I decided that inconveniencing him (and me) was probably better than letting his bike get stolen.

[TheIglu]

If he is anywhere near a decent human being, he will be appreciative. May just make a friend from it.

If he is a dick when he calls, tell him you have a key you can sell him.

[NobodySpecific]

Cool. That's exactly what I did.

I'm not sure if I've seen this guy so I don't know how to make sure it's really him and not some thief... but the note's in his helmet, tucked in by his gloves, so some random person almost certainly won't find it.

Seriously? His lights were on and his gloves and helmet were still on the bike? How do you know he wasn't coming right back? Seems strange to me to leave your gloves unprotected on your bike in Boston, since I don't even like to do that up here in VT.

[gamorg02]

let us know how it turns out.

[Kazinator]

Seriously? His lights were on and his gloves and helmet were still on the bike? How do you know he wasn't coming right back?

Haha very good point

[SRTie4k]

I would have just turned the key to off and left it, or maybe tuck it in his helmet. What if he doesn't have a cell phone?

[korndogg]

Yeah.. I would have turned the key off at the MOST. The only thing you're doing by taking the key is possibly getting yourself into some legal crap. You have NOTHING to gain other than some kind-hearted intentions.

[Falko]

turn off and put key in his helmet. I'm pretty anti-social so I would do everything possible to be nice while avoiding human interaction.

[Jaynnus]

What if he doesn't have a cell phone?

+1 .....he could be a caveman.

[Rusty the Scoob]

No cell phone? This is Boston. Everybody has one. And if not, there's a newsstation right there with a 24/7 security guard who would probably let him use a phone.

Seriously? His lights were on and his gloves and helmet were still on the bike? How do you know he wasn't coming right back? Seems strange to me to leave your gloves unprotected on your bike in Boston, since I don't even like to do that up here in VT.

All good questions.

It's a Triumph cruiser... Helmet is cheap and beat to hell, gloves were the same. It was on a helmet-lock, not just loose on the seat or something. I don't feel comfortable leaving my gear like that, either, but I see this bike left this way nearly every day, weather-depending. (I ride in anything, he's a nice-day rider)

I see this bike often enough to know that he's a 9-5er like me, and anyway, it's really not the kind of parking area where you'd park and run to the ATM or something. It's tucked away from traffic, and the nearest [anything] is blocks away, which is a long way in the city.

[tsorfas]

I would have just turned the key to off and left it, or maybe tuck it in his helmet. What if he doesn't have a cell phone?

Then send him to me to buy one

[TheIglu]

Yeah.. I would have turned the key off at the MOST. The only thing you're doing by taking the key is possibly getting yourself into some legal crap. You have NOTHING to gain other than some kind-hearted intentions.

Doing the right thing and looking out for the well being of another rider who made a mistake demands nothing in return. I would hope someone would do the same for me.

What legal ramifications?

"You are hereby charged with having honest intentions. JAIL!"