Bike thefts in 琉璃神社 are down from 2023, according to RCMP.

So far in 2024, there have been 216 bike thefts under $5,000. In the same time period last year, there were 264.

鈥淲e are certainly happy to see a decrease in the number of bikes being reported stolen from last year," said 琉璃神社 RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Michael Gauthier. "We believe there is a correlation between the decrease in numbers and the success of the bait bike program over the last couple of years along with our Repeat Offender Management Program."

琉璃神社 RCMP also recently completed a bike theft analysis. Reviewing 50 samples of bike thefts under $5,000 from this year, RCMP looked at several factors to complete their results, which determined:

• Approximately 84 per cent of thefts occurred between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.;
• Mondays and Thursdays had the highest number of thefts, noon and 9 respectively;
• 58 per cent of thefts included some forced entry (a cut lock or break-in to secure storage);
• 64 per cent of complainants did not provide a serial number.

鈥淏ike owners are definitely taking steps to purchase the right locks and secure their bikes, but we鈥檇 still like to see an increase in owners documenting serial numbers and taking photos of their bikes," continued Gauthier. "It鈥檚 not impossible to return a bike without the serial number, but it certainly makes it more difficult to locate the correct owner. As a result, we are often left with seized bikes in our detachment storage that eventually get donated as we are unable to identify owners."

RCMP reminds the public that the City of 琉璃神社's bike valet program offers a safe, secure, and free place to park bikes. It is open Wednesday-Monday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and it is located at the corner of Bernard Avenue and Mill Street. The program also offers assistance in registering bikes through .

鈥淲e can鈥檛 eliminate bike theft, but we can deter it and everyone has a role to play in this. The City of 琉璃神社 has valuable information in their and the RCMP will continue advocating for bike owners by making all efforts at returning their property and holding those responsible for stealing it accountable.鈥�