I was 20 years old when I moved to New York City on a Friday in June 2001. I brought all the clothes I could fit in a big duffel bag, along with my bicycle. Monday morning I was to report to my new job as a bike messenger. Saturday, my first full day in Manhattan, my bike was stolen.

In the nearly 11 years since that day, I have had countless bikes and parts stolen. I’ve used the most secure locks, registered my bike with the N.Y.P.D., and parked in only the most conspicuous locations. But I’ve found only one sure way of keeping my bike secure: keeping it indoors. During business hours I keep my bike in my office and when I get home I carry it up four flights of stairs.

To bike in New York City requires dedication and physical risks. The rewards are convenience, speed, a little extra exercise and the independence one gains when not depending on public transportation or being subject to city traffic. In short, there are those who bike and there’s everyone else. And when your bike is stolen your confidence in the city is shattered. A little piece of you dies.

New York City has installed 260 miles of bike lanes over the past four years. Ridership increased 20 percent in the last decade and cycling has gone from something for tattooed risk-takers to the everyday commuter. Meanwhile bikes are still being stolen.