The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and An Garda Síochána have teamed up to highlight the increase in bike related crime. It’s an initiative in support of National Bike Week.
Over the last 10 years, the level of bike theft has increased by 227%, with approximately 6,750 reported bicycle thefts in 2014, equating to a monetary loss in the region of €4million. To end May 2015 there have been in excess of 2,100 reported bike thefts nationally, with in excess of 1,600 (76%) reported in the Dublin Region.
Only 10% of bike owners are able to provide gardaí with the bicycle frame number
In 2014, 34% of all thefts were reported in Dublin City Centre, 40% in the rest of the Dublin Metropolitan Region and 26% outside of the Dublin Metropolitan Region.
Twice as many bikes are stolen during the summer months, peaking in July, August and September.
Two Thirds of bikes are stolen from public places; the most likely time is weekday afternoons
One third are stolen from residential locations, houses, sheds and gardens, most likely overnight
Gardaí recommend the following steps are taken to reduce the impact of bike theft.
• ALWAYS double lock your bike, even at home
• USE quality locks, spend 10% – 15% of the value of the bicycle
• LOCK the bicycle to an immovable object
• Record your bicycle frame/ serial number – Take a photograph of your
Bicycle
• Complete B.I.K.E Card (Bicycle Information Key Essentials) See Garda
website
• ALWAYS report bike thefts to gardaí
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.