# 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:** 99
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1961 "2017-11-07T19:34:23Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Is it a professional who will receive a large fee for work done? **No. To reiterate, this person will NOT receive any of my inheritance, ever**. > > Is it a lawyer? **No.** > > Is it an undertaker? **No.** > > Is it an accountant? **No**. Answers embedded. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1962 "2017-11-07T19:35:29Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I have one ready to go if this is solved, but I can wait if you all want to get the actual envisioned solution. Let me know, spoilervirgin. Now that we’ve gotten past the inheritance part, I’d like to play it out for a little while to see if we can reach the solution. If we don’t seem to be making any progress, I’ll let you know. ---
**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:** [November 7, 2017, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1963 "2017-11-07T19:35:52Z")
> [@SpoilerVirgin](#): > > Since it doesn’t look like we are going to get there any other way, I am going to declare this answer correct, and further declare that I am their next of kin and that I will inherit their money. This was Step 1 of the puzzle, just figuring out that this person has a motive to murder _my parents_ so that _I_ will inherit their money. > > Incidentally, I am very curious to know why it was so impossible to arrive at this seemingly obvious conclusion. Did I give any answers that prevent it? Or did everyone just assume that it wasn’t that simple and never bother to ask? > \*\* It was already established that you aren’t the one who wants to murder your parents, and no one had any reason to believe you wouldn’t inherit their money upon their untimely deaths. It’s like asking “were you breathing when you were alive?” and this isn’t the one case out of 10 zillion where you weren’t. And now you say the inheritance has nothing to do with the puzzle, even though you consider the fact that you inherit the money very important. Mixed signals here. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1964 "2017-11-07T19:44:34Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > It was already established that you aren’t the one who wants to murder your parents, and no one had any reason to believe you wouldn’t inherit their money upon their untimely deaths. It’s like asking “were you breathing when you were alive?” and this isn’t the one case out of 10 zillion where you weren’t. But very few of the subsequent questions seemed to assume that I would inherit. They all seemed to be trying to figure out how the person in question would inherit, without any intermediate step of me inheriting. > [@](#): > > And now you say the inheritance has nothing to do with the puzzle, even though you consider the fact that you inherit the money very important. Mixed signals here. It doesn’t have nothing to do with the puzzle, it has nothing _further_ to do with the puzzle. It’s very important in the sense that it’s a way for the person with the motive to cause me to receive a windfall. Once I receive the windfall, however, there is no further inheritance issue to be discovered. ---
**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:** [November 7, 2017, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1965 "2017-11-07T20:09:01Z")
To be clear, if you were to receive a windfall, there’s someone else who would also gain money, but that person would _not_ gain that money from the money you received in the windfall. Is that correct? Would that person gain that money from some other money that you already have? Would you receiving a windfall have any effect on your future income (for instance, a windfall would lead to you quitting your job)? ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1966 "2017-11-07T20:18:20Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > To be clear, if you were to receive a windfall, there’s someone else who would also gain money, but that person would _not_ gain that money from the money you received in the windfall. Is that correct?\*\* Yes\*\*. > > Would that person gain that money from some other money that you already have? **No.** > > Would you receiving a windfall have any effect on your future income (for instance, a windfall would lead to you quitting your job)? **Yes, not specifically quitting my job, but you are on the right track**. Answers embedded. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2017, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1967 "2017-11-08T13:14:08Z")
Are you a partner in a business, and you intend to withdraw from the partnership on the death of your parents (because your inheritance will then enable you to live comfortably, or otherwise), and furthermore there is a clause in the terms of the partnership that says in such an event your business partner(s) automatically take over the business without requiring them to compensate you in any way? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2017, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1968 "2017-11-08T13:40:32Z")
I was wondering if the parents had a winning lottery ticket but “gambling” has been ruled out. ---
**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:** [November 8, 2017, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1969 "2017-11-08T14:28:04Z")
Would a windfall cause your future income to increase? Would a windfall cause your future income to decrease? Would a windfall cause your future income to come from a different source than it does now? ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2017, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1970 "2017-11-08T15:48:21Z")
> [@Dead\_Cat](#): > > Are you a partner in a business, and you intend to withdraw from the partnership on the death of your parents (because your inheritance will then enable you to live comfortably, or otherwise), and furthermore there is a clause in the terms of the partnership that says in such an event your business partner(s) automatically take over the business without requiring them to compensate you in any way? **No.** However, you are definitely on the right track. You might want to ask some follow up questions about your assumptions here. ---
**Author:** ![SykoSkotty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@SykoSkotty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SykoSkotty)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2017, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1971 "2017-11-08T15:53:40Z")
Is this person your stock broker? Is this person your spouse? ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2017, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1972 "2017-11-08T17:15:28Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Would a windfall cause your future income to increase? **Yes.** > > Would a windfall cause your future income to decrease? **No.** > > Would a windfall cause your future income to come from a different source than it does now? **In part**. Basically, I would have the windfall, and income derived from the windfall, in addition to my current income. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2017, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1973 "2017-11-08T17:17:03Z")
> [@SykoSkotty](#): > > Is this person your stock broker? **No**. > > Is this person your spouse? **No**. Answers embedded ---
**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:** [November 8, 2017, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1974 "2017-11-08T19:55:10Z")
It looks like, if you were to receive a windfall, you would make some changes in your life that would result in the addition of a new revenue stream (while still retaining whatever revenue it is that you have right now). Is this correct? If you received a windfall, would you continue to live in the same place that you do now? ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2017, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1975 "2017-11-08T20:14:47Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > It looks like, if you were to receive a windfall, you would make some changes in your life that would result in the addition of a new revenue stream (while still retaining whatever revenue it is that you have right now). Is this correct? **There would be no new revenue stream; however new revenue would be derived from the windfall.** > If you received a windfall, would you continue to live in the same place that you do now? **No**. Answers embedded. ---
**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:** [November 8, 2017, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1976 "2017-11-08T22:41:59Z")
Would the new place where you would live be in the same city as now? Would the new place where you would live be in the same state as now? Would the new place where you would live be in the same country as now? Would the person who would benefit end up with your current home? Would the person who would benefit be the current owner of your new home? ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2017, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1977 "2017-11-08T23:31:54Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Would the new place where you would live be in the same city as now? **Yes.** > > Would the new place where you would live be in the same state as now? **Yes.** > > Would the new place where you would live be in the same country as now? **Yes.** > > Would the person who would benefit end up with your current home? **Can you be more specific?** > > Would the person who would benefit be the current owner of your new home? **No**. Answers embedded. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2017, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1978 "2017-11-11T20:59:59Z")
I give up. Can you PM me the full solution and maybe I can help with a hint or some kind of nudge? Or just PM me so I can know the entire solution and I’ll zip my lips. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2017, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1979 "2017-11-12T05:13:15Z")
Here is my hint: As **Chronos** correctly deduced, if I receive a windfall, I will move. There is someone who has a motive to murder my parents because this person will receive a substantial financial benefit if I move. Does that help at all? ---
**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:** [November 12, 2017, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1980 "2017-11-12T11:17:29Z")
Does this person desire to move into your current residence? Is this person a neighbour who dislikes you, and wishes to see you move away? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868.md?page=98) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868.md?page=100)