Oh no, my bike was stolen
Bike theft is not just the cyclist’s problem
It’s a beautiful day cycling through fall colors. Your favorite coffee shop and a pumpkin spic latte are ahead. You lock your bike in the rack and follow the aroma of coffee. Refreshed and relaxed, you bid farewell to the barista. Your joy ends when your severed bike lock is all that remains in the rack.
Having your bike stolen is deeply personal. It turns a perfect ride into a nightmare. 529 Garage, a non-profit, seeks to reverse this alarming trend. The 529 Garage infographic shares some sobering statistics for Americans including a bike is stolen every 30 seconds and only 5% returned to the owner.
Sharing the responsibility for bike theft
A friend recently shared a video from the Shifter YouTube channel, Five easy ways to reduce bike theft in your community. The video’s message is that preventing bike theft is a problem not solely owned by the cyclist. It is an issue that must also be addressed by communities and businesses that seek to welcome cyclists. Take a few minutes to watch the video.
Bike racks and providing parking for cyclists are high on the list of amenities that cyclists look for when deciding whether to stop or not on a bike ride or tour. It is also a trend that trail communities are embracing Shifter shared the following five ways to provide safe and secure parking for cyclists.
Place bike racks in visible locations.
Place bike racks front and center and not in the rear of a building and out of view. It makes it more difficult for the thief to steal a bike from a location with high pedestrian traffic and visible from a restaurant or shop.
Start a loaner-lock program.
This innovative program never occurred to me. It is a simple low-cost solution for the provider that yields positive results and feedback from cyclists. Visitor centers, shops, and restaurants can benefit from the publicity and more business by going above and beyond in welcoming cyclists.
Provide a valet bike-parking program.
Cycling to farm markets, festivals, and concerts is enjoyable. Riding a bike to the venue minimizes the traffic hassles events create. Event organizers, bike co-ops, and community groups can provide secure bike parking that values and increases cyclist attendance.
Educate on preventing bike thefts.
Many cyclists improperly secure their bikes. Some don’t want to carry a heavy lock. Others believe it can’t happen to them. Bike shops, bike clubs, police departments, and community safety programs need to regularly hold workshops on properly securing a bike.
Repurpose car parking for bikes.
America is automotive-centric. Bikes are not seen as a vehicle to perform everyday tasks. Ample car parking at the front door is expected. Merchants, restaurants, and city planners need to be educated on the business value of sacrificing a front and center parking space for bike parking.
Summary
Trail town programs, active transportation initiatives, and trail organizations know bike racks and bike parking welcome cyclists. They are low in cost and are prime targets for grants. The Shifter video highlights the work beyond the placement of these bike parking solutions. Let’s encourage others to follow the work of Vancouver to provide a safe and secure place for cyclists to park their bikes.
Lock your bike and enjoy that latte!
Tom on the Trails