Deutschlandfunk Kultur writes that bike theft is so common in Germany that many see it as inevitable, with the question being when, not if, a bike will be stolen. The article shares personal stories illustrating the challenges of proving ownership and the informal, sometimes awkward, resolutions that result. It describes the ease with which stolen bikes are resold, either as whole bikes or parts, and the difficulties police face in solving cases, especially given limited resources and low recovery rates. Organized crime, opportunistic theft, and the seasonal spike in spring are discussed, along with the scale of insurance losses (100 million euros annually). The piece highlights the social acceptance of bike theft as a fact of urban life, the emotional toll on victims, and the need for better prevention and documentation[6].
