What Everybody Ought to Know About Bike Theft

According to Andy Tompkins, the Interbike trade show director, bike sales are going through the roof this year. "Consumers are looking for ways to save money, and they are looking to bikes to help them do that, both in their daily life and for recreation. Interbike is a direct reflection of the marketplace, and the increase in the number of exhibiting companies, both international and domestic, suggests the industry is very healthy and has opportunities for growth."

Even though gas prices have dropped considerably in the last couple of months, there is no reason to believe that will continue. In fact, the deflation of our economy has everything to do with low gas prices, but that still does not mean it is time to take our eyes off the proverbial alternative transportation ball.

And, for many, bikes are a keen way to save gas.

In fact, during the energy crisis of the 1970's Amsterdam became the bicycling capital of the world because of their determination to bike their way to energy independence. And, in Amsterdam, biking is still a primary way to get around.

But, when bikes become a larger part of our nation, another challenge appears. Bike theft! New and improved bicycles make for new and improved theft.

Bike theft is already a 1 billion dollar industry according to the National Bike Registry. It only takes 7 seconds to steal a locked bike and less than 3% of unregistered bikes are returned to their owners.

So, we need to do the same thing we do for any expensive property. Get it registered before it's too late.

You see, bike theft is so prevalent that a Google search of the history of bike theft rolls in at over 191,000 hits and that's pretty rough considering America is really just starting to look at alternative transportation with a hard eye.

Here are the three most utilized methods to protect your bike.

1) Use handlebar locks.

2) Attach your bike to a strong pole in a well-lit area.

3) Place your bike in front of a security camera.

However, even using these methods will not always work, and if they don't the fact are the facts and it bears repeating! Only 3% of unregistered bikes are ever recovered.

So, the best way to protect your investment and your wheels is to register with the National Bike Registry. It only takes a moment and can help you the next time you walk out the door and find your wheels are missing.