Posted on Tuesday, April 12th, 2022
Many University of Iowa students, faculty, and staff rely on bicycle transportation to get to and from campus. As the weather begins to warm up and more members of our community return to this sustainable mode of transportation, the UI Department of Public Safety would like to share a few reminders to you prevent your bike from being stolen. Many of these actions can also help police locate and identify your bicycle, should it go missing.
Five tips for preventing bike theft:
- Use a high-quality lock, preferably one that is not easily compromised by bolt cutters. When you lock your bike, be sure to lock your bike frame and wheel to fixed, approved bike racks.
- Keep a record of the make, model, and serial number of your bike, including a photograph. This will make it easier for you to report your bike if it is stolen, and easier for law enforcement to return it to you if it is located. You can register your bike on campus, with your municipality, or with a variety of online bike registration services.
- Balance protection and visibility. Lock up your bike in a moderately busy area with high visibility rather than an isolated location. Avoid leaving your bike unattended in the same area for multiple days without checking on it.
- Consider investing in a small tracking device for your bicycle.
- Report bike theft and suspicious activity near bike racks. You can contact the UI Department of Public Safety at 319-335-5022, or by using the text feature on the Rave Guardian App.
Interested in learning more about bike theft prevention and bike safety? Contact us.