Important Information On Bike Safety From Seattle Police

Here is some important bike information from Terri Johnson, Seattle Police North Precicnt Crime Prevention Coordinator:

Bicycle Thefts:

• There have been 97 bikes stolen from the North Precinct neighborhoods in the last 6 months.
• SPD Burglary detectives see stolen bikes being sold within hours of the theft on e-bay, Craigslist, in pawn shops and even on the street (one thief was selling stolen bikes on the Burke Gilman Trail).
• The reported dollar loss for these thefts is approximately $80,000.
• To prevent losing your bike and increase the likelihood of getting it back should it be stolen - SPD Detectives recommend writing down the serial number (bike’s head tube, seat post tube, under the crank, or on the frame’s rear wheel mount) of your bike and keeping the number in a safe place.
• Take a picture of your bicycle.
• If your bike is stolen, call SPD to report the crime, giving the serial number and any other identifying marks for your bicycle.
• Try to obtain a police incident number that you can use for your insurance claim.

 

 

Safety Of Your Bike:

 

• Always lock your bike, the whole bike (through the frame and both wheels) and use more than one kind of lock if possible. Our detectives report bolt cutters are used to cut through the locking devices.
• Register the lock and get the serial number if the lock’s manufacturer offers a warranty or insurance on the lock.
• Lock your bike to something permanent.
• Lock it in a visible spot and someplace nearby.
• Lock your bike even if you are parking it on a porch; in the basement, the garage or storage unit.
• Storing your bike inside is preferred.