Key Left On Bike

[Frisco]

So, I’m walking back to work after lunch and decide to check out the bikes parked in MC street parking adjacent to UC Berkeley campus. This spot is in front of a popular restaurant. One bike has a key in the seat release. I put it in the ignition and, sure enough, this key would start the bike.

What would you do?

Thanks for your input!

 

[JesasaurusRex]

I'd have left it where it was. Why touch other peoples shit?

 

[sprorchid]

I would have put the key back and looked a little for the owner.
I have left the key in the ignition a couple of times at work. Luckily that parking lot is gated with a key code and in Pleasanton.

 

[Butch]

prolly safer left in the seat release is less risky than the ignition...
Leave it.

 

[ScottRNelson]

I have left the key in the ignition a couple of times at work. Luckily that parking lot is gated with a key code and in Pleasanton.

I did that in Pleasanton once too. But not in a gated lot, just a business area that didn't have a lot of non-business traffic. I think it was two or three hours after I got to work that I figured out my key wasn't in my pocket where it was supposed to be. Went back out and there it was.

Anymore, the only time I ever forget and leave a key in the ignition is in my garage. And usually I've figured out that it's still in the bike when I go to toss my keys into the key basket where I keep keys to everything.

If I saw a bike with the key still on or in it, I would just leave it alone.

 

[matty]

When I worked in SF, a bike parked next to mine had the key in the ignition. I took it out and stashed it between the starter and the cylinder head and left a note saying "I have what you are looking for. Call####". It was a somewhat ifffy neighborhood. Guy called me, way later than I would've expected, I told him where his key was and he thanked me. I think I even posted a missed connection here, but that was a looong time ago.

 

[Frisco]

Thanks for the replies.

Sounds like the consensus is to leave it. I didn’t quite do that. I put the key on top of the front tire under the front fender and left a folded note by the ignition telling them where the key was. My reasoning: an opportunist thief would quickly steal the bike upon seeing a key, but would be unlikely to unfold a note someone left on the bike. The owner surely read the note.

Maybe I’m over thinking it, but I felt good about this plan.

 

[CDONA]

I found a V-rod in Prescott, with the key on, parked.

Another bystander and I turned it off, but left the key in place.
Hope there was enough juice to fire it, after the battery recovers a bit.

 

[budman]

Thanks for the replies.

Sounds like the consensus is to leave it. I didn’t quite do that. I put the key on top of the front tire under the front fender and left a folded note by the ignition telling them where the key was. My reasoning: an opportunist thief would quickly steal the bike upon seeing a key, but would be unlikely to unfold a note someone left on the bike. The owner surely read the note.

Maybe I’m over thinking it, but I felt good about this plan.

That was a good idea. Hope they got it.

 

[gixxerjeff]

What would you do?

Based on many previous threads on this topic I have concluded there is no good answer to this question but what you did was about as good as you could do.

 

[Entoptic]

Roll bike forward, place key under tire, Leave note saying call you, explain location of key via text.

 

[ABC]

Roll bike forward, place key under tire, Leave note saying call you, explain location of key via text.

I like that idea

 

[mayorofnow]

Not long after I bought my Vespa, I couldn't find my keys one morning. I found them in the gutter, on the walk between my apartment and my parking spot.

Now there's a nail in my room that I hang them on. It's easy to check if I remembered to hang them, and if I ever forgot, there's a very pointy reminder close to eye-level.

 

[DJNick]

Happened to me once, I left my key in the ignition. I found a note that said the key was with the staff in the store I was parked in front of, I just wish I could have thanked the person who was looking out for me.

 

[Sibhod]

Last time I saw a key left in the ignition, I picked up a big leaf from the ground and placed it over the ignition/key. Hopefully the owner figured it out.

 

[Entoptic]

I like that idea

Someone actually did it to my bike. It’s my go to now.

 

[moto-rama]

When I worked in SF, a bike parked next to mine had the key in the ignition. I took it out and stashed it between the starter and the cylinder head and left a note saying "I have what you are looking for. Call####". It was a somewhat ifffy neighborhood. Guy called me, way later than I would've expected, I told him where his key was and he thanked me. I think I even posted a missed connection here, but that was a looong time ago.

This is the winning reply.

 

[BURNROPE]

I found a Triumph with a key in it once. Still riding it.

 

[sicks]

I make +-30 copies of the key and do everything that was suggested in here and also hide the key more places so its easier for the owner to find.

 

[hophead]

I'd have left it where it was. Why touch other peoples shit?

‘werd