Image Credit: lock8.me
March 15, 2016 - 1:00 PM
KELOWNA – Kelowna RCMP are warning the public to lock up their bikes after an 88 per cent increase in stolen bikes so far this year.
Const. Jesse O’Donaghey says in a release already 46 reports of stolen bikes were received since Jan. 1. There were only 29 reports for the same time period last year.
“With the warmer weather upon us, the RCMP have seen both an increase in bike riders as well as bike thefts,” he says. “While a theft of your investment can take just moments, the inconvenience and financial loss will last much longer.”
RCMP often receive reports of bicycles being stolen after they are left unattended and insecure even for short periods of time, O’Donaghey says.
“Investigators often aren’t provided with the necessary details such as a bicycle's serial number, its make, model, type, speed and frame size etc. to properly identify and return any recovered bicycles to their rightful owners.”
RCMP are offering a number of tips to help cyclists keep their property safe, including always keeping their bicycle locked even if only left unattended for a short period of time and considering locking bikes inside.
They also recommend you use a high quality lock and ensure that you secure it to an immovable object.
“Record your bicycles serial number and take photographs so that they can be added to police computer records, which helps police identify the bikes should they be located,” he says.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2016