Philipp Saam’s bicycle trip in Islamabad was disrupted when his bike was stolen while he was sleeping outdoors in the city. The incident quickly spread after he posted about it in a WhatsApp group called “Cycling South Asia.” His message drew attention from fellow cyclists and sparked concern within the traveling community.
Saam explained that he had been camping in Islamabad at the location marked 33°39’56.5′′N 73°05’29.9″E when the theft occurred. He said several homeless individuals approached the area overnight. According to his account, the bike was secured to itself and also locked to his tent. Despite these precautions, the thieves managed to take it while he was asleep. He noticed the loss early in the morning, around 8am, just a short time after one of the individuals left the area.
In his message, Saam also shared details about the people he encountered. He said they did not speak English and appeared to communicate in Pashto. He believed there were at least two, possibly three, individuals involved. He added that one person seemed to have only one hand, although it was not fully clear, as it was covered by clothing. He also mentioned that they spoke about drugs during their interaction.
Along with his account, Saam shared a photo of his bicycle. The bags were no longer attached at the time of the theft. The estimated value of the bike is around 1 million rupees. He emphasized that the bike was locked tightly to itself, which means it would have required tools, such as a saw, to carry it away.
Saam also said that local police did not provide any support after the incident. He reached out to the cycling community for advice on recovering his stolen bike. His experience highlights the risks faced by solo travelers.
