Police and volunteers are continuing their campaign to get bikes registered in the 529 Garage program as cyclists head into the busiest time of the year for bike thefts, according to Prince George RCMP.
Last year, Prince George saw a reduction in bike thefts for the first time since 2013. So far this year, bike thefts are up slightly, “a trend we want to reverse,” Prince George RCMP Cpl. Craig Douglass said.
From the start of January to the end of June, there have been 71 bike thefts, compared to 65 during the same period last year. Of those, 24 or just 34 per cent, were confirmed to be locked.
Traditionally, July and August have the most bike thefts, accounting for 44 per cent of the total for all of last year.
“We urge bicycle owners to take the time to attend one of our events to have their bike(s) registered and to help #EndBike
Theft,” Douglass said in a media release.
They will be out at three locations this Sunday: Pidherny recreation area (parking lot at the top of Foothills Boulevard, 10 a.m.-noon; Downtown Summerfest, Canada Games Plaza, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and then back at Pidherny, 6-8 p.m.
And they will be at Otway next Saturday, July 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The free registration process takes about five minutes and includes essential information such as the ownership details, serial number and photos of the bicycle.
In the event of a theft, the information can easily be distributed to other registered riders through an alert feature on the smart phone app. The information can also be easily provided to both the police and insurance companies.
For each bike registered at one of the events, the owner can enter for a chance to win a Norco Storm mountain bike donated by Cycle World on First Avenue. The draw will be at the end of the biking season.
The detachment’s anti-bike theft project is looking for more volunteers.
“We are working hard to provide the public with more opportunities to register their bikes,” Douglass said. “In order to attend more events and locations, we need more volunteers.”
Volunteers would primarily be responsible for recording essential bike information and taking photos using a smart phone or other provided device.
The events are mainly scheduled for a few hours each during evenings and weekends and the training is minimal and not difficult. A basic police information check is required at no cost to the volunteer.
Those interested in volunteering a few hours a week can contact Douglass at 250-561-3321.
