D.C. bike racks too 'smart' for would-be thief

WASHINGTON - The training wheels are barely off the District's new SmartBike program, but a thief has already struck.

Someone tried to steal a SmartBike from the rack at the Shaw SmartBike location over the weekend, D.C. Department of Transportation spokesperson Karyn LeBlanc says.

"The person came and took the back tire and lifted it - physically lifted it over the rack - in hopes that it would snap the lock," LeBlanc says.

The rack proved too mighty for this thief, however, and the bike did not come off the rack. SmartBikes are secured into racks by steel locks.

"They are very secure in those racks," LeBlanc says.

The bike was damaged, and will most likely have to be replaced.

There are 10 SmartBike racks scattered throughout the downtown core of the District, with each holding 12 bikes.

SmartBike users who damage, lose or get their bikes stolen on their watch will have to pay a $550 fee.

Theft is a major concern for the city's new bike-sharing program, which is only two weeks old.

LeBlanc says it's an unfortunate part of the program.

"What we are really hopeful for is that those people who do use it become stewards of it as well and help us work toward deterring people from stealing the bikes," LeBlanc says.

There is no information on the identity of the thief.

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