Simple precautions could help students avoid increased bike theft

Students will have to be more alert when putting away their bikes on campus.

The total number of bikes stolen this year surpasses that of 2009, with more than double the amount of bikes stolen since the start of the Fall Semester when compared to the same time period last year.

Forty-nine bikes were reported stolen on campus in 2009, while the total for this year is currently 58 bike thefts. Thirteen bikes have been stolen since the start of school.

Cpl. Michael Baker of the University Police Department said students need to be more careful with how they lock their bikes.

"The biggest problem we see is that students who have bikes are locking them with substandard locks or not locking them at all," he said.

Baker advises using U-locks instead of cable locks, which are easily cut by wire cutters. U-locks are a metal bar in the shape of the letter U and most effective when used to attach both a wheel and the bicycle frame to a bike post to prevent theft of bicycle wheels or frames.

Baker cites the economy as a possible reason for the increase in bike thefts. Other forms of theft haven't showed any substantial statistical increase, though. So far none of the stolen bikes have been recovered, but Baker said it's still early in the year. He said he suspects the bikes are being sold off campus.

Freshman music education major Mitchell De Both said although he has a bike, he was not so worried about getting his bike stolen.

"If I had a more expensive bike, I'd be much more concerned," he said.

Freshman advertising major Chad Balilo said he was considering bringing a bike later in the school year.

"I have classes far away and I'd love to bring a bike, but seeing the statistics should raise doubt with anyone considering bringing a bike to campus," he said.

Baker said stolen bikes should be reported to the University Police. Campus bikes can be registered through residence halls or UPD for a $1 fee. Registering a bike helps the police identify when stolen bikes are being sold and makes it more likely stolen bikes will be returned if recovered. Students can call the police with the make and serial number of a bike for sale to assure it isn't reported stolen. If students witness a bike theft, a description of the thief, their direction of travel and the make of the bike should be called in to UPD.

As far as UPD is aware, no bikes have been stolen from the bike lockers. Bike lockers are located near most residence halls and cost $50 for an academic year.

Bike theft statistics are not available on the Ball State website as they aren't part of Uniform Crime Report crime data. Anyone interested in the most up-to-date statistics can request the information from UPD.