Stolen bikes rack up across the capital region
With the arrival of spring promising to bring more cyclists to roads, police are urging them to get their bikes registered to combat theft.
In Victoria, police said 123 bikes have been reported stolen this year up to March, an increase from 112 in 2016 during the same period but down from 141 in 2015.
The problem of bike theft came to a head in November when Saanich police recovered about $50,000 worth of stolen bikes and scooters at an alleged “chop shop” in a Dupplin Road warehouse — where bikes were believed to have been broken down into parts. Two men were arrested. Since then, items worth about $20,000 have been returned to people through the Street Crime Property Unit, said Saanich police Const. Damian Kowalewich.
West Shore RCMP said bikes are stolen by “opportunity-seeking thieves,” and are sometimes used by people looking for a way to travel around and commit crimes. The West Shore had 75 bikes reported stolen in both 2014 and 2015 and 93 in 2016, and has had 15 so far in 2017.
Registering a bike is free and easy to do, said Victoria police Const. Matt Rutherford. With the Victoria police, simply fill in a form on the department website at vicpd.ca and drop it off at the 850 Caledonia Ave. police station.
“It helps us identify bikes when they’re on the street,” Rutherford said.
He said in one case in early March an officer spotted a bike while on patrol, examined it because it was clearly valuable and determined it was on the department’s bike registry. When the owner was contacted, he was unaware that his bike was even missing.
It had been taken from a breakin at a secure underground-parking area, Rutherford said.
He said the department has more than 1,600 registered bikes.
Beyond being registered, it is also important to know basic details about your bike, he said.
“Know the make and model, any unique features, serial number, those are all good things to help us get these bikes back.”
Victoria police are also expanding their “bait bike” program.