The CU-Boulder Police Department held its annual U-lock giveaway for students following the Department’s Twitter and Facebook pages.
CUPD picked 10 winners who commented on why bike safety was important to them. On Wednesday, Oct. 1st, Chief Melissa Zak met with some of the announced winners. “The bikes being stolen from campus are typically those locked with cable locks,” Zak said. “Bikes locked with U-locks are rarely taken.”
Bike theft remains a concern on campus. From January 1st to September 17th of this year, there have been 78 reported bike thefts. This compares to 154 for the same time period last year, a reduction of almost 50 percent. During the first month of school last year there were 31 thefts, this year 28. The worst year in recent history was 2010, when a total of 326 bikes were stolen from campus. The Police Department has seen a significant drop in bike thefts due to more students using U-locks, better education, increased patrols and enforcement Zak said. A review of this year’s thefts does not show a clear location trend. Bikes are being taken from across the campus.
Should you see someone acting suspicious near a bike rack, do not hesitate to call the Police at (303) 492-6666 or 9-1-1.
Riders should also record their bike's serial number and keep it in a safe place. The serial number will increase your chances of getting your bike back if it is stolen. A photograph showing any special equipment or stickers would also be helpful to investigators. You are encouraged to register your bike with the university.