Despite being a relatively low-crime country on the whole, theft of bicycles and umbrellas is a prevalent issue in Japan. These thefts are usually born out of need and selfishness rather than for monetary gain. Forgot your umbrella and stuck in a downpour? Then you’ve got three choices: get wet, buy an umbrella from the convenience store or indulge in some petty theft. Need to get home and missed the last train? Suck it up and get walking or, if you’re someone who doesn’t lie awake at night worrying about their karma, you COULD just “borrow” one of the identical, unlocked bikes gathering cobwebs outside the station. Yes, it’s wrong, but it still happens pretty often.
Now, however, there’s an anti-theft device more powerful than any bike lock! Behold the anti-theft bird poop sticker!
The thinking behind this kinda weird method of property protection is that nobody’s going to be crazy enough to steal a bicycle that’s been pooped on. Hmm, that’s the kind of crazy logic we can kinda understand!
▼ It works on motorbikes, too!
While we can’t help thinking that this wouldn’t do much to deter the more shameless or inebriated of thieves, at only 540 yen (US$4.50) for one sticker, we reckon it’s worth a try!
▼ Splat! Take that, gullible would-be thieves!
As someone who has had their (locked) bicycle pilfered in Japan before, I’d totally consider picking up one of these stickers. Of course, there’s always the worry that people might see you casually hop on a seemingly besplattered bicycle seat and think you’re totally gross, but that’s a small price to pay for peace of mind!
The stickers are available from awesome variety goods store Village Vanguard’s website.
Source/images: Village Vanguard