Curbing Bike Theft in Eugene

Bike theft is an important issue in Eugene, especially for college students on and around campus. I recommend taking multiple steps to offer education on how to correctly use bike locks as well as enforce and increase the penalties for thieves. I’ve outlined how to educate students on theft prevention, how to register bikes, and how increased penalties will help reduce crime below.

Education on Bike Locks
Many bikes that are stolen are not properly locked up. The University should provide education on which locks to use and how to properly use them. With less bike theft due to prevention tactics, fewer bikes reported stolen might be offered more time and energy to locate by local police. Bikes left overnight or in dark, secluded places are more subject to theft. Educating students on the ways theft occurs prevents easy theft, which could turn off a large number people from stealing bikes.

Information that is useful to students: * Use a metal “U” shaped lock * Verify that the “U” lock is properly inserted through the frame and tire * Put bikes in safe places at night * Register all bikes

Having a representative on University campus to explain how important bike lock safety is can significantly decrease theft.

Registration
Bicycle registration is a viable way to prove ownership of a bike. Making registration for bicycles easier and more convenient creates situations where it is more difficult to resell a stolen bike. Having a registration number also allows an easier return of located stolen bikes. When purchasing bikes off of websites such as Craigslist, always verifying that the registration number does not belong to someone else is a good way to indicate if it is a stolen bike. Stolen bikes sold online can be verified as someone’s bike with the personal registration number and the seller can be located and prosecuted.

Enforcement
Bikes that are stolen are often resold or sold for parts over the internet or a black market. Even though many students register their bikes it can be hard to relocate a bike after it is stolen. After decreasing the amount of easy bike thefts in Eugene due to poor locking strategies, local police can spend more time finding the parties that resell lots of stolen bikes or parts. Using a tracking device on a poorly locked bike to locate the criminal is one way to lessen the crime. An increased penalty for bike theft could further help lessen the wholesale bike stealing and reselling. A fund for locating perpetrators should be created.

Bike thefts should be combatted by offering further education on bike protection, ensuring rights to personal ownership, and by rigidly enforcing punishment. A safer community free of bike theft promotes a more environmentally friendly transportation system. Constituents are responsible for creating a safer environment through responsibly preventing the continuance of bike theft to the best of their abilities for the community.