# 53 bicycles: A lateral thinking puzzle **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [July 9, 2017, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868 "2017-07-09T19:51:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/41 "2017-07-10T15:17:45Z")
In a public place, a man deliberately exposes a portion of his anatomy to a horrified crowd of men, women and children. Several children burst into tears and one outraged father almost tackles the man. After the incident, the man is dismissed from his job, he receives hate mail and a local paper brands him “a monster”. Despite all this, it is never suggested that he be prosecuted and the police are never involved. Why not? ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/42 "2017-07-10T15:19:15Z")
I don’t know if this one’s Googleable or not, but here goes… A robber held up a bank, but left with no money whatsoever. Nevertheless, he’s happier than he would have been if he’d left with sacks of cash. How so? [and how do I keep getting ninja’d?] ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/43 "2017-07-10T15:24:24Z")
The robber is terminally ill and by getting convicted of robbing a bank, he’s guaranteed medical care, a cot and 3 squares a day for the rest of his life. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/44 "2017-07-10T15:24:50Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > In a public place, a man deliberately exposes a portion of his anatomy to a horrified crowd of men, women and children. Several children burst into tears and one outraged father almost tackles the man. After the incident, the man is dismissed from his job, he receives hate mail and a local paper brands him “a monster”. Despite all this, it is never suggested that he be prosecuted and the police are never involved. Why not? He works in Disneyland as a Mickey Mouse. He upset the children by taking off his Mickey head and revealing his own real head. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/45 "2017-07-10T15:39:18Z")
For **Biotop** ’s bicycle question: Do you make use of the parts in any way? If so, are the parts being used in a way similar to their intended use? (I’m thinking that they have a lamp or something made from bicycle parts) ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/46 "2017-07-10T16:48:42Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > He works in Disneyland as a Mickey Mouse. He upset the children by taking off his Mickey head and revealing his own real head. Yeah, close enough. It was a mall santa taking off his false beard. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/47 "2017-07-10T18:16:28Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > You’re into unicycling, not bicycling, Good guess. But no, they definately are bicycle parts. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/48 "2017-07-10T18:27:50Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > For **Biotop** ’s bicycle question: > > Do you make use of the parts in any way? > If so, are the parts being used in a way similar to their intended use? > > (I’m thinking that they have a lamp or something made from bicycle parts) Yes I have attempted to use the parts as intended. ---
**Author:** ![snoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@snoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snoe)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/49 "2017-07-10T18:42:23Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > For **Biotop** ’s bicycle question: > > Do you make use of the parts in any way? > If so, are the parts being used in a way similar to their intended use? > > (I’m thinking that they have a lamp or something made from bicycle parts) > [@Biotop](#): > > Yes I have attempted to use the parts as intended. Are they “moving parts” of the bicycle? I guess all parts of a bike move when it’s in motion, but you know what I mean. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/50 "2017-07-10T19:09:51Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > On the table next to my couch are several things, including multiple parts of a bicycle. Neither my wife nor I ride a bicycle. We have no children. We have no interest in ever riding a bicycle. Yet, I bought the parts. I have no intention of giving them to anyone. > > Why are they there? You also have a crate and want to make a wheelbarrow? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/51 "2017-07-10T19:15:30Z")
> [@snoe](#): > > Are they “moving parts” of the bicycle? I guess all parts of a bike move when it’s in motion, but you know what I mean. No. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/52 "2017-07-10T19:16:08Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > I know yours, **Mahaloth** , so I will let others try and get it. > > ☆☆☆☆☆ > > I was sitting here on my couch when I thought of a true bicycle conundrum. It does not involve playing cards, but the facts are thus: > > On the table next to my couch are several things, including multiple parts of a bicycle. Neither my wife nor I ride a bicycle. We have no children. We have no interest in ever riding a bicycle. Yet, I bought the parts. I have no intention of giving them to anyone. > > Why are they there? > [@Biotop](#): > > Good guess. But no, they definately are bicycle parts. are you attempting to repair an exercycle or other stationary bike? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/53 "2017-07-10T19:17:36Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > You also have a crate and want to make a wheelbarrow? No. My wife laughed. “Mr Fix-it” I am not. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/54 "2017-07-10T19:19:45Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > are you attempting to repair an exercycle or other stationary bike? No. See above. Neither I nor my wife do much repairing. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/55 "2017-07-10T20:45:31Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > The robber is terminally ill and by getting convicted of robbing a bank, he’s guaranteed medical care, a cot and 3 squares a day for the rest of his life. No, sorry, that’s not the answer I’m looking for. It’s not a bad answer, though. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/56 "2017-07-10T21:02:31Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Good guess. But no, they definately are bicycle parts. Are they terrorists building an eco-friendly car-bomb on a budget? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/57 "2017-07-10T21:03:02Z")
**Prof Pepperwinkle** , did the robber make off with any valuables at all? Did the bank have a supply of valuables (by which I mean anything that could easily be converted to liquid wealth)? **Biotop** , you said that you have no intention of giving away the bicycle parts. Do you intend to part with them in any other way? By selling them? By trading them? By using them in a way which destroys them? You imply that the contents of the table also includes some non-bicycle-parts. Is that correct? Does your purpose for having these items require both the bicycle parts and the non-bicycle parts? ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/58 "2017-07-10T21:34:54Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > A robber held up a bank, ] Was it a piggy bank that he held up in the air? ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/59 "2017-07-10T22:16:43Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > I don’t know if this one’s Googleable or not, but here goes… > > A robber held up a bank, but left with no money whatsoever. Nevertheless, he’s happier than he would have been if he’d left with sacks of cash. How so? > > [and how do I keep getting ninja’d?] Is it a blood bank? Is it a sperm bank? If a blood bank, is the robber a vampire? If a sperm bank, was he trying to get his own, er, deposit back? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/60 "2017-07-10T22:26:33Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > **Prof Pepperwinkle** , did the robber make off with any valuables at all? > > Did the bank have a supply of valuables (by which I mean anything that could easily be converted to liquid wealth)? > > **Biotop** , you said that you have no intention of giving away the bicycle parts. Do you intend to part with them in any other way? > By selling them? > By trading them? > By using them in a way which destroys them? > > You imply that the contents of the table also includes some non-bicycle-parts. Is that correct? > Does your purpose for having these items require both the bicycle parts and the non-bicycle parts? No to selling. No to trading. No to using them up to destruction. Yes to non-bicycle parts. Yes to the last question as well. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868.md?page=4)