Tips and tricks to keep your bike from getting stolen in Calgary

Bike thefts are up significantly in Calgary this summer, and in light of that, representatives of the Calgary Police Service and Bike Calgary offer their recommendations for how to keep your bike from getting lifted.

• Bike theft in Calgary jumps 18% over last year, prompting calls for change

About 40 bikes were stolen in the first week of July alone, saysSgt. Scott Neilson of Calgary Police Service's District 1 mountain bike unit.

Gary Millard, president of Bike Calgary, says it comes down to three main things for him: location, the type of lock you use, and taking precautions to help get your bike back if the worst happens.

Location: park inside instead of outside

During the off-season, bikes are generally stolen in break and enters, says Neilson. But in the summer, it's a different situation because everyone is out using their bike.

Millard says indoor parking should be used,if it's available, over outdoor options.

"There's a lot of property managers and companies that offer secured bike parking," Millard said.

If cages with restricted access are available indoors, even better, he says. Additionally, parking where there is video surveillance might further deter thieves.

If outdoor options are all that's available, be sure your bike is locked to something secured to the ground.

Locks: you get what you pay for

"One of the first things we ask people to do is to get a good lock," said Neilson. "There's a number of locks out there that go from the very low end to the very high end. They provide the amount of security that you pay for, basically."

"There are some good,well-priced, reasonable locks out there that will do a good job, but if you want a really good one, you're going to have to spend a little more money on those."

Millard recommends a rigid U-Lock with a partnering cable.

"So you've got really three valuable components in a bicycle: the frame and the two wheels. And so when you lock it up particularly in a public location you want to make sure you lock up the frame with your U-Lockand secure your wheels with an accessory cable," Millard said.

Getting your bike registered

Millard says that before there's any chance of your bike gettingstolen, you shouldbe sure to register it with online web resources like Bike Index or 529 Garage. The sites will ping you if your bike ever turns up on the registry after beingstolen.

And keep information like themake and model of the bike along with colour details and serial number handy. If it gets stolen, you can report the theft online to Calgary police, givingyou a chance of getting it back. The more information the better, Neilson says.

"We get a weekly hot-sheet with all the [reported] stolen bikes for the week on it," said Neilson.

Whenever bikes are turned up through search warrants or found in strange locations, reported bikes can be returned to their original owners.