Does anyone else find it sad & wrong that the punishment for stealing a bike is greater than that for maiming or killing a human, outside of 1st degree murder? I'd go free if I hit a cyclist with my car, I guess, but spend 6 months in jail if I steal the bike.

NO WAY! you would NOT go unpunished for hitting a cyclist and driving away. God would judge you when you die, and witnesses can also report you!

The punishment does seem severe for stealing something worth $700. Perhaps there were extenuating circumstances not reported in the article.

Hey Kevin, Chill. Don't get 'em in a twist over something I didn't say. I didn't say "hit & run". There have been numerous cases of pedestrians & cyclists killed by motorists in Menlo Park who get NO JAIL TIME. Repeat, read what I wrote.

Hitting a cyclist or pedestrian COULD truly, be an "accident"; however, I don't think one could suddenly notice they have 'accidently' carried off someone else's bicycle and then decide,"oh, well! I guess I'll just sell it on Craig's List".
I am certain which ever incident happens or happened to you, the punishment would not seem like enough. Being "wronged" intentionally or not, injures one's sole. It is difficult to repair by the legal system.

6 months seems kind of stiff!

Six months isn't stiff when you consider he was given 4 months time served. With time off for good behavior that means he walked out after sentence was handed down.

In my experience, someone that gets six months for stealing a bike has priors, so sixth months probably wasn't that stiff.