Bike theft is a common problem in many cities around the world, but in Reykjavik, Iceland, a man has taken it upon himself to combat this issue with empathy and compassion.
Bjartmar Leosson, affectionately known as “Bicycle Jesus” by the local community, has been retrieving stolen bikes and returning them to their rightful owners for the past few years. His journey began when he noticed an alarming number of stolen bikes piling up at local homeless shelters.
Though not widely recognized as a cycling city, Reykjavík, with a population of 139,875, is experiencing a growing interest in two-wheeled transportation. The city is working to boost the percentage of cycling trips to a minimum of 10% of all journeys by 2025 through its new cycle path system.
“I was shocked by the sight of so many stolen bikes,” Leosson said. “I wanted to understand why they were stealing and what their lives were like.”
Leosson’s approach to the issue is unique. Instead of responding with anger, he chose to connect with the people involved and persuade them to help him find the bikes. He also influenced some of them to make a change in their lives.
His efforts have not gone unnoticed. Leosson was invited to speak at TEDx Reykjavik, where he shared his experiences and insights. His story has resonated with many, shedding light on a pressing issue and inspiring others to take action.
The problem of bike theft is not unique to Reykjavik. The Reykjavik metropolitan police received more than 700 reports of stolen bicycles last year. This issue has prompted the police to auction around 100 bicycles from their lost property division every year.
“Bjartmar Leósson is doing a great job finding and collecting bikes that have been stolen,” said the Reykjavík police chief, Guðmundur Pétur Guðmundsson. “Police often guide victims of theft to various sales groups and his [Facebook] group just to increase the likelihood to find the bike a gain.” All bike theft reports were investigated, he added.
The police also urged the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity. They advised bike owners to lock their bikes securely and register them online.
Four years and, he estimates, hundreds of salvaged bikes later, the 44-year-old has developed a reputation in the Icelandic capital among cyclists and potential bike thieves. Known as the Reykjavík “bike whisperer”, people across his home city turn to him for help to find their missing bicycles, tools, and even cars. Often, he says, bike thieves hand over bikes without being asked, and some former bike thieves have started to help him.
“It’s like a little snowball that got really big really fast,” says Leósson, whose other nicknames include “the bike cop”, “bike priest” and “bicycle Jesus”.
Relevant articles:
– Iceland’s ‘bike whisperer’: the vigilante who finds stolen bicycles – and helps thieves change
– TEDxReykjavik | TED
– Reykjavík Police to Auction 100 Stolen Bikes – icelandreview.com
– Bike Theft on the Rise in Reykjavík – icelandreview.com