Bicycle Theft Prevention

Every year, hundreds of bikes are stolen in Scott County. Many of them are recovered, yet only a small portion is returned to their owners. The following are some tips to prevent the theft of your bicycle.

Lock It

• Always lock a bike that’s left unattended, even for just a minute. Don’t forget to secure bikes on a car carrier rack too.
• Be sure to lock the bike to something stationary, preferably where it can be seen by you and others. A quality U-lock is the best locking device you can buy. Avoid locks, chains or cables that can be easily cut, broken or picked.
• Make sure both wheels are locked, either by removing one and U-locking it with the other and the frame or by using an auxiliary lock on one. You can also purchase devices that replace the cam and the lever on quick-release wheels and sears with a keyed system.
• If you keep the bike in a garage, make sure that the garage is properly secured.

Take It

• Remove any accessories and components including the tire pump, seat or bags that can be easily taken.

Write It

• Write down the following information and keep it in a safe place in the event that your bike is stolen: bicycle brand name, serial number, wheel size, frame type, number of speeds, and purchase date and price.

Mark It, Register It, Photograph It

• In addition to documenting the above, consider marking the bike with an Operation ID number. If you live in a jurisdiction that has a bicycle registry, get the bike registered and document that number.
• Take photographs of your bicycle, especially if it has unique identifiers such as scratches or dents.

Report It

• If your bike is stolen, report it to your local law enforcement agency. If we don’t know you’re missing a bike, we can’t return it to you.