Stolen Dublin Bike Sparks Questions About City’s Cycling Safety

A Dublin resident reported the theft of a Dublin Bike on the afternoon of August 2, 2025, raising concerns about the security of the city’s bike-sharing program. Frank McNally, who had just left a café on Clanbrassil Upper, discovered that his bike was missing despite having securely locked it to a pole moments earlier. This incident highlights ongoing issues with bike theft in the city and questions the motives behind such crimes.

Upon returning from his tea break with his sister, McNally realized that his bike had vanished. He distinctly remembered locking it and was perplexed to find two kryptonite-style locks left at the base of the pole, suggesting either a common practice among local cyclists or a method employed by thieves. Dublin Bikes are designed for durability rather than aesthetics, providing a practical transportation option without the allure that might entice someone to steal them.

Dublin Bikes are not typically objects of desire. They are heavy and clunky, built for utility rather than comfort, making them an unlikely target for thieves. McNally speculated on the motivations for the theft, suggesting either a transport emergency or malicious intent. He noted that if someone urgently needed a bike, they would likely require tools to break the lock, indicating a premeditated act.

In a phone call with the Dublin Bikes helpline, McNally was informed that thefts do occur, often resulting in vandalism where the bikes are discarded. He was told he would be charged €150 if the bike was not returned to the docking stations. The representative emphasized that users should return bicycles to docking stations, but McNally pointed out the lack of stations within a ten-minute walk from his location, leading to frustration over the service’s accessibility.

McNally’s experience with Dublin Bikes began in 2012 after a previous bike theft outside The Irish Times offices. On that occasion, his bike was taken during a moment of distraction caused by a large group of football fans. He acknowledged the unattractiveness of the socialized bikes but appreciated the community aspect and shared risks of the bike-sharing scheme.

Reflecting on the incident, McNally noted that Dublin’s bike-sharing program had previously been regarded as secure and free from significant theft or vandalism. This recent theft may suggest a shift in that dynamic, prompting questions about the safety of Dublin’s cycling infrastructure and the effectiveness of its bike-sharing system.

As McNally contemplates his next steps, he jokes about returning to an older method of transportation, humorously referring to it as “Shanks’s Mare,” a colloquial term for walking. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges and vulnerabilities faced by urban bike-sharing programs, which are intended to promote sustainable transportation but must also contend with issues of theft and security.