How not to get your bike stolen

Crime

Perhaps you’ve opted to take your bicycle to work a few days per week to save on gas and promote environmental responsibility. Maybe you’ve ditched your vehicle altogether—or never had one in the first place—and rely 100 percent on your two-wheeled ride. Whatever the case, be aware: bicycle theft is an unfortunate component of the carefree car-free lifestyle.

Unlike a car, which requires some semblance of technical knowledge and stealth to steal, a bicycle can easily be carried away by any unscrupulous character with a set of chain cutters. Moreover, bicycles are not, like motor vehicles, subject to registration, insurance, and identification regulations, so the hopes of recovering your stolen property are slim (though not impossible).

Fortunately, working with law enforcement and implementing some of the strategies laid out below can help combat bicycle theft, and prevent you from experiencing every biker’s nightmare.

Stats on bicycle theft

Naturally, bicycle theft occurs most often in urban, highly-populated areas. According to the FBI (yes, they monitor bicycle theft rates), over 189,000 reports of bicycle thefts were reported in the United States in 2011 – a figure that represents a 4.2 percent increase from the year before. While the data suggests that the average value of the missing bikes was just $367, many urbanites know that quality cycles can cost many times that amount. Other statistics surrounding bicycle theft in the United States include the following:

  • According to a study conducted in Montreal, Canada, nearly half of all bicycle owners will have their bikes stolen at some point; only a fraction of these thefts will ever be reported.
  • Bike thefts occur, on average, just 2 miles from owners’ homes
  • Year-round cyclists are 90 percent more likely to have their bikes stolen than casual or seasonal riders
  • Over half of all property crimes reported on college campuses involve bike theft

What to do post-theft

Imagine walking out of a coffee shop, scone in hand, only to discover that your reliable ride is missing from where you know you left it. If this should happen, don’t panic. Stay calm and immediately scan the area. Since the perpetrator is undoubtedly riding away, it will probably be difficult to get a look at him or her in the act. Also make sure to check the area right around where your bike was tethered—did the suspect leave anything behind?

From there, contact law enforcement right away. Theft victims often decide not to phone the police, thinking that a stolen bicycle is not at the top of any police officer’s list of priorities. However, law enforcement is trained to handle theft crimes of all kinds—and your missing bike may be one of several in the immediate vicinity.

If you are in an area surrounded by buildings, there is a chance the incident may have been caught on surveillance. Look for cameras mounted nearby; if you see one, inquire if the footage can be accessed for use in apprehending the thief. If the business is unwilling to cooperate, ask the police to request access on your behalf.

Lastly, remember that your safety is more important than any piece of property, and never attempt to apprehend a thief on your own.

Preventative measures

As bicycle theft becomes more common, many cities have adopted bike index programs that allow owners to register bicycles to help effectuate higher return rates. One website, BikeIndex.org, gathers information from theft victims across the country and averages one recovery per day. Other groups, like the National Bike Registry, encourage users to register their bicycles before a theft occurs, which may make it easier for law enforcement to recover the stolen property.

Another strategy for preventing bicycle theft is to consider which aspects of an unattended bike or bike storage areas are attractive to potential thieves. As several reformed thieves have stated, gated apartment complexes are hotbeds for theft, since it is easy to gain access and residents tend to be more lax about locking their bikes at night.

Another good way to get your bike stolen is to use a cheap lock. To prevent theft, consider purchasing more than one lock or investing in a high-quality, theft-deterrent model. Finally, be wary of a sudden flat tire occurring while the bike is parked. Oftentimes, thieves use this tactic to ensure the owner will come by, see the flat tire, and opt to leave the bike longer, giving the perpetrator more time to execute the theft.

And one last thing: including a bicycle, particularly a high-value model, on a renters’ or homeowners’ insurance policy may not be a bad idea. Good luck!

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