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How to stop a bike thief 70s style

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As the senior member of the Going Going Bike team, I’m old enough to remember Public Information Films of the 1970s. These generally low budget low quality short films were government commissioned films on a particular subject that ranged from issues such as surviving a nuclear attack, protecting the environment, to crime prevention.

Most people would recognise The Charly Says series of Public Information Films that warned children about being in dangerous situations including stranger danger, but I’ve come across a gem of a film from that era that warns the public to be aware of a bike being a target for a thief.

Comedy style

The film features actor Derek Griffiths. Derek is known to the people of a certain age as a regular on Children’s TV in the 70s and 80s. In particular, he was a regular on Play Away that ran on BBC1 from 1971 to 1984. Typically, Derek brings his own style of comedic acting to this film.

The film of course offers no direct advice on how to lock your bike, other than to a sturdy fitting, but it does offer timeless advice in telling owners to keep a record of the serial number on their bike frame.

Changing times

As a child growing up in the early 80s (yes I am showing my age here), I remember leaving my bike (a BMX no less) where it was and then wandering off without locking it. I would still find my bike there when I got back. How things have changed since the innocence of those times. No child would do that now.

Here at Going Going Bike, we’ve offered advice in how to protect a bike from a thief. Maybe we should ask Derek Griffiths if he would like to do a Public Information Film remake on how to beat a modern day bike thief.

In the meantime enjoy our filmed efforts on how to beat a bike thief with the Rubbish at Theft Video below and subscribe to the Going Going Bike channel on YouTube.

See Also

Going Going Bike back revolutionary new titanium bicycle lock

Cycle Task Force introduce harsh punishments for bike thieves

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