04/09/2026
We have been receiving multiple reports of increased bicycle thefts over the past few weeks. We would like to address the public with some simple advice, and requests.
Bicycles are far too often an item of vulnerability. We encourage that bicycles are always secured, preferably indoors. If you cannot secure your bicycle indoors, and must leave it outside of your home, garage, or shed, we encourage that you secure the bicycle in a well-lit area and preferably with some sort of locking mechanism. Another beneficial precaution is to secure it in an area that is monitored by your home’s security surveillance devices. When securing your bicycle with locking devices, we also strongly encourage that the use of two or more locking devices is in place. The reason being is that many bicycle thefts often occur to even those that are secured by a lock in some fashion. Bicycle locking devices placed through a wheel often result in the thief simply removing that wheel from the frame of the bicycle and leaving it behind. In some cases where the locking device is placed through the frame instead of a wheel, the thief will simply take the wheels. Generally, depending on the determination of the thief, they will successfully cut or remove the locking device altogether and take everything!
In addition to some of the above-mentioned security suggestions, we encourage the use of “U-lock” style locking devices. These can be much more challenging for a thief to defeat. Although they are not guaranteed to prevent a theft, they are more durable than a locking cable or chain. They can be placed through a bike’s wheel and frame, securing two body parts at once. This locking device with the addition of a cable/chain on the remaining area, will likely deter the theft. We also encourage the use of some sort of GPS tracking device, hidden well within the bicycle’s body. Another extremely useful habit to form is to document your valuables (including your bicycles) by taking photographs of the item to include the make and model, serial number or any other identifying numbers, special features (design augments, scratches, damaged areas, unique appearance features, etc..). This is to assist us in locating and identifying your property. Most bicycles, like many automobiles, have multiple locations for multiple stickered or imprinted serial numbers. We suggest that after documenting these locations and numbers for your records, that you place/install an additional identification sticker/imprint somewhere on or within the bicycle that only you would know of or think of looking for. This would be helpful for us if the thief removes or alters the original identification numbers to prevent positive identification of your property. We hope that this is helpful information and that you all have a wonderful weekend!
