The Prince George RCMP is reporting a 38% increase in bicycle theft in 2016.
There has been 87 reported instances so far this year, up from 63 the same time in 2015.
However actual numbers are almost certainly much higher, with most thefts going unreported according to RCMP Corporal Craig Douglass.
“A lot of people don’t, because they don’t have anything to go on, no serial numbers or anything. That’s the big problem; most people don’t record their serial numbers.”
Douglass estimates the statistics would be “more than triple for sure” if everyone recorded their serial numbers and reported their stolen bikes.
Owner – Operator of Ruckus Skis Boards & Bikes, Mark Trumphour says it’s a perennial problem for Prince George.
“It’s always been so damn bad, I’ve been doing this in this town for like ten years at least or more and it’s always bad. I can’t say if it’s worse this year than ever, it’s kind of standard quo, which is just constant.”
Trumphour says he gets people in the shop anywhere from once to three times a week looking for a stolen bike or asking for a serial number from a bike they bought there in previous years.
He echoed the RCMP’s comments on the importance of keeping that serial number written down, adding that a solid lock can obviously work as a deterrent.
“Depending on if you are going to park it in a really rough part of downtown, you are obviously going to have to invest a bit more in the lock so it’s more of a deterrent and they go to the next bike. It sucks to say that, but it’s kinda what it comes down to.”
For more information from the PG RCMP on how to prevent bike theft click here.
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