Bike Thefts and How the Cargo Bikes of Camberville Community Helps Recoveries
Over the past few months, several stolen cargo bikes have been successfully recovered — thanks in large part to the incredible vigilance and teamwork of members of the Cargo Bikes of Camberville Facebook group and volunteers from Community Pedal Power.
While bike theft is unfortunately common, cargo bikes are often distinctive enough that when the community acts quickly, there’s a real chance of getting them back.
How the Recovery Process Works
Community Pedal Power volunteers have been working to spread awareness and create a rapid response process for stolen cargo bikes.
If your cargo bike is stolen, here’s what to do — in this exact order.
(Speed matters — every hour counts!)
If you have an AirTag on your bike: Email stolen@communitypedalpower.org immediately — before attempting to locate the bike yourself.
If you don’t have an AirTag: Post your bike to Bike Index and to the Cargo Bikes of Camberville Facebook group right away. You don’t need your serial number to post — share what you can and update later.
Include a clear, recent photo of your bike. Visuals help the community spot it faster.
Email stolen@communitypedalpower.org with your contact information so volunteers can reach you quickly if someone reports a sighting.
After those steps are complete, contact the police and file an official report.
Gather proof of ownership and any spare keys, such as those for cafe locks, to make the recovery process smoother if your bike is found.
Why Acting Fast Matters
The first 24 hours are crucial.
Almost all successful recoveries happen within that window. Once a bike has been missing longer, the odds drop significantly — and in many cases, we simply don’t know where those bikes end up.
Posting promptly to Bike Index and Cargo Bikes of Camberville ensures more people are keeping eyes out as soon as possible.
How Everyone Can Help
Even if your bike hasn’t been stolen, you can still play a role in keeping the community safe.
Keep an eye out for cargo or e-bikes in unusual places, such as:
- A Tern GSD charging from a random outlet in a pocket park
- A Gazelle sitting unlocked at a public rack
- An Aventon Abound left on the side of a bike path
- A WorkCycles GR8 abandoned on a side street
Sometimes there’s an innocent reason — a flat tire, a temporary lockup — but often, it’s worth a closer look.
If you see something that doesn’t feel right and it’s safe to do so, take a quick photo and share it with:
- The Cargo Bikes of Camberville group, or
- stolen@communitypedalpower.org
Safety First
Never directly confront someone you believe has a stolen bike.
If you spot a bike that might be stolen:
- Comment on the relevant Facebook post, or
- Email stolen@communitypedalpower.org
We’ve seen situations where people trying to intervene directly were physically attacked by bike thieves. No recovery is worth personal injury.
The best way to help is by sharing what you see — that’s how bikes get reunited safely with their owners.
The Results So Far
Thanks to the Cargo Bikes of Camberville community, Community Pedal Power, and the support of local shops like Bicycle Belle, we’ve helped reunite nearly a dozen stolen bikes with their owners in just the past two months.
That’s a powerful reminder that community awareness works.
A Note on Recoveries
Many people ask what happens during an actual recovery.
In most cases, once a stolen bike is located:
- The owner calls 911 (or the local police department where the bike is found).
- When officers arrive, the owner shows proof of ownership (like a serial number).
- The police approach the person with the bike and usually return it on the spot.
We’ve had particularly smooth experiences in Cambridge, with mixed but improving cooperation in Somerville and Boston.
But the real victory happens long before that — when someone in the community spots the missing bike and reports it.
Thank You
Huge thanks to everyone in the Cargo Bikes of Camberville Facebook group and beyond who’s helped keep eyes on the street.
By staying alert, sharing sightings, and acting quickly, we’re proving that community vigilance can make a real difference.