Bicycle Theft: An Annoying Hassle or An Avoidable Problem?

Bicycle theft is a significant issue in numerous major cities and towns. According to Bicycle Law, over 2 million bicycles are stolen each year just in North America, costing $1 billion annually. Alarmingly, only 5% of all stolen bicycles are returned to their owners.

This problem persists even within school communities. Following a discussion with the former Principal of Dougherty Valley High School, Mr. Powell, it became evident that there are numerous instances of bicycle theft, even on school premises. Many of these incidents could be attributed to improper usage of bicycle locks. Despite our community being relatively "safe", bicycle theft remains rampant. The simplest solution to address the prevalent bicycle theft cases is to ensure the use of a secure lock firmly fastened to the bicycle (or other similar modes of transportation).

A few years ago, I used my scooter (which was likely not intended for transportation) to commute to and from school. However, I found no lock that could effectively fit and secure it to the bicycle rack. Consequently, for several weeks, I presumed it safe to leave it at the rear, where it would attract minimal attention. Nevertheless, on numerous occasions, I observed my scooter being moved around and placed in different locations from its original spot. Many individuals assume that leaving their belongings unattended for a brief moment would not result in theft. However, there are opportunists who actively seek out easy targets within the school bicycle "parking lot".