My Bike Got Stolen (And Where to Buy a 2nd hand One)
After 8 years of riding around Oaxaca, it finally happened—my bike got stolen. If you’re locking your bike up in the street here, do it at your own risk. Honestly, it was just a matter of time. Bike theft is pretty common in Oaxaca City.
Having a bike in the city is super convenient. There are bike lanes on a few main streets, it’s faster than sitting in traffic, and definitely more comfortable than being packed into a bus.
The day it got stolen, I took my son to a kids’ event in Plaza de la Danza. We locked the bike to a random streetlight near the bottom of the steps and went to enjoy the event for about an hour. When we came back, the bike was gone.
It’s no secret that thieves walk around with bolt cutters. They cut chains, steal bikes, repaint them, and flip them on Facebook Marketplace. It’s a bit of a wake-up call not to get complacent—and to start locking my bike in safer areas where there’s more foot traffic, even if it means walking an extra block or two.
If you’re planning to live in Oaxaca, don’t buy yourself a fancy bike. No matter how careful you are, it’s probably just a matter of time before it gets stolen.
Where to Buy a Second-Hand Bike in Oaxaca
If your bike gets stolen (or you’re just looking for one), you’ve got a couple of solid options:
1. Facebook Marketplace
There are always bikes for sale on there. I’d guess more than half of them are stolen—especially the cheaper ones—but there are decent bikes too if you take the time to look. I’ve bought my son three bikes off Facebook. Kids’ bikes tend to be legit, since they’re not commonly stolen like adult bikes.
2. Pawn Shops (Casa de Empeño)
This is where I bought my latest bike. There are a few pawn shops around town, and many of them have a good selection of second-hand bikes—from cheap beaters to nicer rides. It’s a good option if you want to see the bike in person and ride it before buying.
3. Bike Repair Shop
A lot of the bike repair shops have a few bikes lying around for sale too. Google ‘Taller de Bicicletas‘ to see if there’s one near where you’re staying and pop in and ask. You’ll get good prices there.
Wrap up
Getting your bike stolen in Oaxaca is frustrating—but not surprising. It’s part of life here if you’re a cyclist. Just be smart about where you lock it up, don’t spend too much on a bike, and know that if it does get stolen, there are easy ways to find a decent replacement.
