yeah, the rope trick is dangerous, but done carefully, works well.  have used this trick at least a half dozen times on my buddy's bike.  He always leaves his keys in, lights on.  Don't know how he doesn't notice the lights.  Lucky he still has his bike.  Both players have to pay awful close attention, and yeah, you want a nice long rope so you don't gun it into the back of the tow vehicle.  I've tried pushing a bike by myself before, and let me tell ya, it sucked!