Warmer weather is encouraging more outdoor activity, including biking. As KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, Eugene officials and biking advocates are reminding people to safeguard their ride.
Last year, the City of Eugene accumulated reports of 603 stolen bikes. The city police department
recommends people register their bikes online, for better tracking and recognition (University of Oregon students should register their bicycle with the UO Department of Parking & Transportation.)
Another partner is Bike Index. Steve Piercy is a local representative of the international registration service.
“Across the board, there’s about a 10 percent recovery rate if people have their bikes registered through the system," he tells KLCC.
"It’s not great but 10 percent is a heckuva lot better than 0 percent.”
Piercy recommends using both a U-lock and a cable lock for your bike’s best protection.
“So that you can secure your bike frame and both wheels to a very secure place.”
While theft rates are high across the metro area, EPD data shows a nearly 70 percent increase in arrests of bike thieves, thanks in part to a bike sting program.
City police also say that if your bike is stolen, to file a police report as soon as possible. This type of report can be filed online at Report a Crime or the EPD non-emergency line (541)682-5111. In addition, register your stolen bike with Greater Eugene Area Riders (GEARs) https://eugenegears.org/bike-registration/. GEARs uses Bike Index to send out alerts of stolen bikes and provides a publicly searchable database to help people identify and avoid buying a stolen bike. Also, post the bike as stolen in the bike section of Craigslist. Tips or info can be directed to police at (541)682-5111 for the incorporated area of Eugene. Please do not attempt to recover the bike on your own.
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