Cyclist group calls for police action to tackle bike theft

The rising levels of bicycle theft are a serious cause for concern, especially since most bicycles were being stolen during the daytime and in very public places, the Bicycling Advocacy Group has claimed.

The cycling NGO has called on the police commissioner to take immediate action and advised its members to always use two good quality locks when leaving a bike unattended for any length of time.

BAG has also instructed members to park in very visible, public areas, to strip the bike of lights or removable parts and never to leave a bike out overnight.

Owners should also keep a record of the frame number and a photo of the bicycle to help police if it is stolen, it said.

The group noted that the current spate of thefts was not helped by bike racks being tucked away out of sight or being of poor design that does not allow the frame and at least one wheel to be locked to the hoop.

It said that while it could not confirm that stolen bicycles were being shipped to Sicily, the fact remained that bike theft was becoming increasingly organised.

“One of the current administration’s goals is to double cycling each year up until the year 2033,” BAG said. “A laudable task, but one that is made all the harder if bike theft is so high.”