According to a 1994 study, a student who attends college for four years has a 53% chance of having his or her bicycle stolen. This number is actually 3 times the actual percentage but it has been determined based on national studies that only one third of bicycle thefts are actually reported. The fact that most bicycle thefts go unreported has been confirmed by government statistics.
It is really unfortunate that so many bicycle thefts go unreported because, in many cases, there is a significant chance that the police will not only recover the bike, but be able to return it to its rightful owner. The chances a bike will be returned increase if the bike is registered with any of a variety of registration services.
Between the 1989 â 1990 school year and the 1992 â 1993 school year, bike thefts increased 59.6%. During the 1992 â 1993 school year, 11 out of 100 bikes on campus were stolen. The majority of universities have a bicycle registration system that is both easy and free. This helps the police return the bike to its rightful owner. In addition, it helps to deter thieves because there is a chance that they can be caught. A registration sticker is an identifying feature. The registration programs have proved to be so effective on some campuses that some universities are now requiring that all bikes be registered if they live on campus.
Another way to reduce the risk of having a bike stolen is by keeping the bike properly locked at al times. Even when the bike is in a dorm room, it should be locked. A lock is not enough though. Any lock must be a good lock that is used correctly. 2% of all bikes stolen on one campus were locked with a U lock. While this sounds bad, not all U locks are created equal.
For more information on bike locks, superior U locks, and ways to prevent bike theft,
contact the
bike lock experts of A & Jsâ Bike Locks at 708-460-2999.
