More than 100 stolen bikes are sitting in a Reno Police warehouse right now, and police can't return them to their owners.
Reno police say they can only return stolen property that the owners can prove is theirs, using the right paperwork or registration. But most people don't even know they can register their bikes, let alone that they should. And this is the time of year when we see a spike in bike thefts.
"The criminals are looking for easy targets of opportunity," RPD Public Information Officer Tim Broadway said, "and a bike that's unlocked is one of those targets."
Obviously, locking up a bike is the best defense against theft. Broadway recommended a sturdy, u-shaped lock, and using bike racks in safe areas.
But if it gets stolen, and recovered, it will need to be registered for an owner to reclaim it. The same goes for firearms, TVs, electronics, or anything else with a serial number that could be stolen. Broadway said the registration process takes 5-10 minutes, and it's free.
"We could like to get that property back to people, and the smart, easy way to do that is to just simply register it with us or with UNR," Broadway said.
- If you live in the City of Reno you can print the registration form out and bring it into Reno Police Station at 455 E. 2nd Street. They will give you a bicycle registration sticker to place on your bike.
- Students at the University of Nevada, Reno can learn more about bicycle registration here.
Both agencies have some tips for bike owners to prevent theft:
- Lock your bike and use a bike rack when available
- U-bolt type locks are typically best
- Always lock the frame and the wheel
- Secure your bike in a well lit area after dark
