More on bike safety...Bike Theft Prevention Seminar in Detroit Shoreway Tonight

But when I say bike safety I actually mean safety for your bike.  Getting around town is important.  For those of us who like to keep the car in the garage (or not even have one) and would rather move through our city at a speed and level that allows us to enjoy the wonderful storefronts and sights, see friends, catch local sales, discover that the new sunroom at our favorite wine/beer shop is now open for visitors, etc. walking or cycling is the best way to do it.  However, despite the bicycle being classified as a vehicle by the state of Ohio and having to abide by all the traffic laws there is one distinction that give cycling it most noticeable disadvantage.  When someone ganks your bike, it is probably gone forever.

The sad truth is that bicycle theft isn't one of the easiest or productive ways for our police to spend their time.  Bikes can easily be stripped down, repainted, shipped all over the place, etc. and very few of the parts have any sort of tracking information (such as VIN numbers on cars).  Most communities highly suggest (eg. require) that you register your bike so possibly help with any sort of reclamation if it goes on "walk about" without your knowledge which can help at least show proof of ownership if the police manage to discover it (like the giant warehouse in Toronto full of stolen bikes the police discovered a few years back).

As cycling discovers its resurgence many communities are stepping up their involvement such as Detroit Shoreway in Cleveland with it's...

Bike Theft Prevention Seminar tonight at the Detroit Shoreway Development Organization Atrium
6516 Detroit Avenue # 1  Cleveland, OH 44102

7pm

presented by the Ohio City Bike Co-op and Joy Machines Bike Shop.

A representative from "Assessments and Licenses will also be available to help register your bike for a $5 fee.

Personally I have some tips that I think are very important.

• park where you can see your bike (or at least it is highly visible)
• have and use a decent lock (like a u-lock)
• if you see someone stealing a bike, take a photo with your cellphone, call the police, etc.  Don't just be silent and watch it happen.  Be part of your community and help others, its harder to be a miscreant when the community cares about what happens.
• (I got this idea from a TV show) kid gps locator hidden in the frame, they cost $50 and up.  Also it gives you another reason to put a fun gps app on your phone.  Also the police will know exactly where to go.  You may end up busting a giant bike theft ring and becoming a superstar hero.