Friday, August 12, 2022

Getting your bike stolen is sure to sour your day, especially if you bike to work. Unfortunately, bike theft is all too common. While there is no guaranteed way to ensure your trusty steed will be at the rack when you return, there are a number of best practices to increase your odds of preventing a theft or recovering the bike in the event it is stolen. The University of Iowa also has resources to help bike-loving members of the campus community. Below are best practices.  

Precautionary steps: 

  • Invest in a U-lock. These hefty steel locks are more secure than a cable lock, which are vulnerable to bolt cutters. U-locks are more expensive and are not impenetrable, but they are seen as among the most reliable types of bike locks.  

  • When locking the bike, ensure the lock goes through the bike frame and one or both wheels, if possible, and then through an approved bike rack that is securely grounded. 

  • Register your bike. UI recently partnered with Bike Index, a national registry of bicycles. People can begin the registration process online at https://bikeindex.org/uiowa. Registration makes it easier to report a missing bike and easier for authorities to investigate and return a stolen bike to its rightful owner. 

  • Complete your registration in Bike Index by adding the make, model, serial number, description, and a few pictures depicting the bike from different angles.  

  • Consider investing in a small GPS tracking device for your bicycle. These devices can be mounted in a discrete place on your bike and tracked using your mobile device. DPS has a limited number of these devices for members of the campus community who register their bike using Bike Index.  

What to do if you are bike is stolen: 

  • Immediately report the incident to local law enforcement – the UI Department of Public Safety (DPS) for thefts on campus or your local municipality for thefts off campus. Mark your bike as stolen on Bike Index.  

  • Monitor local pawn shops and online marketplaces. If your bike turns up, contact the investigating law enforcement agency with your findings.  

Additional information:  

  • Learn more about campus bicycle registration and regulations