No one wants to have their bicycle stolen. Make sure you take all proper precautions and follow these recommendations, adapted from the Baltimore Police Department:
“Do’s and Don’ts” of Bicycle Theft Prevention
Do:
- Register your bike with the Manchester Police Department. It only costs $1 per bicycle and you’ll receive a registration sticker for your bike, as well as a registration certificate to keep at home. The former lets would be thieves know that police will be looking for your bike should it go missing, while the latter contains the information that will help the police do so.
- Mark your bike with an identification number. Engrave this on the frame of the bike
(example: MD A -123-456-789-123).
- Store your bike indoors.
- Insure your bike against theft. Check to see if your homeowners or renters insurance automatically covers it, or if it has to be specifically listed.
Do Not:
- Leave your bike lying in the yard, on your porch, stairs, hallway, etc.
- Leave your bike in your garage with the garage door open.
- Walk away from your bike, thinking you will only be gone a few seconds.
- Hide your bike behind bushes and think it is safe.
- Let strangers ride your bike. (They may not bring it back!)
Lock It Up!
- Every time you leave your bike unattended, lock it up! Use a theft-proof chain, cable, or bar lock to attach it to a sturdy, fixed object. Need an affordable bike lock? Come visit QC Bike Collective and we can set you up.
- Lock your bike in a well-lighted area where it can seen from inside a building.
- Remember to lock up your bike at home.