17

Jan
2023

Bike Thefts Increasing

January 17th, 2023 | by admin admin | in Security Advice |    0   

As the weather warms up, you may be riding your bike to work more often. Did you know a commuter is 30 times more likely to lose her bike than her car in Vancouver? Bicycle thefts have exceeded motor vehicle thefts in the city every year since 2010. Worse yet, most of those thefts are never reported and the bikes are easily re-sold through Craigslist and other online ads. Even if police recover your stolen bike, they can’t return it without identification.

Local police offer these security tips:

1. Record your bike’s serial number. If someone steals your bike, register the serial number with the Canadian Police Information Centre. If you don’t know your serial number, your retailer may be able to help.

2. Photograph your bike, as a reference, to assist police in identification.

3. Use a high-quality U lock, rather than a cable lock, and remove the seat or a wheel as an extra deterrent. Even at home, or when your bike is hanging from the back of your car or truck.

4. Shopping mall parking lots and other locations with high concentrations of bikes—such as the downtown library, Granville Island and City Hall—attract the most thieves. 

5. Secure underground parking lots are another popular target, year round. Avoid leaving your bike on or in your vehicle and remember to lock up if you have to use a bike storage area.

6. Before buying a used bike, check its serial number against CPIC’s database. But beware: the Vancouver Sun highlighted one incident where the thief gave the buyer a serial number that was off by one digit and the buyer didn’t notice the discrepancy in time.

Sources:

Protect Your Bike from Theft. RCMP in B.C.

More Bikes Stolen in Vancouver than Cars. The Vancouver Sun. December 3, 2013.

Note: This blog discusses general safety and security topics. It is not intended to provide comprehensive advice or guidance. In all matters of personal safety and security, we encourage readers to research topics in depth and consult a security professional about specific concerns.

Radius Security Vancouver, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Richmond, Surrey, Langley, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Ladner, Delta, Tsawwassen