According to numbers originally released by the Winnipeg Police Service and recently reported by CBC, bicycle thefts have been steadily increasing since 2010 in Winnipeg. In 2016 alone there were 1200 bicycles reported stolen. As of May 31st this year, 267 bicycles have already been reported stolen.
Here are a few tips on how you can avoid falling victim to bike theft;
- Always lock your bicycle up to a stationary item (Bike Rack, Street Fixture)
- If your bike is parked in a garage or shed, lock it to a very heavy item and ensure the building is securely locked.
- Make sure you are locking both your wheels to your frame; this will require having two separate locks.
- Be sure to remove all “quick release” components of your bike (lights, reflectors, seats, water bottles)
- Always try to park your bike in a well lit area and avoid dark alleys.
- Keep a list serial numbers for your accessories and bike frames. This can be helpful in the event that your bike ends up for sale at a pawn shop or on the internet.
Most home, tenant and condo insurance policies have limited coverage for bicycles. This means you may need to add a bike separately to your policy in order to ensure you will be fully reimbursed if it’s stolen. “Scheduling” a bike to your policy also reduces your deductible. In order to schedule a bike to your policy you will need to provide receipts for your bike and accessories and pay an extra premium, but many bike enthusiasts feel the peace of mind is worth the cost.
For more information give us a call.