With the fair coming up, there will be many chances for individuals’ bikes to be taken.

Monday, August 07, 2000

With the fair coming up, there will be many chances for individuals’ bikes to be taken.

Sheriff Barry Simonson offers a number of tips to avoid such an occurrence.

First and foremost, leave your bike locked at all times.

A lot of the bikes stolen are taken from front yards and even garages; other hot spots are the local swimming pool, school grounds and play areas.

If you spend a lot of time in these areas, Simonson suggests that you keep a close eye on your bike and make sure you know the serial number as well.

This will help in recovery if it does get stolen.

While the city used to have a bike registration program, Simonson said that it hasn’t been in effect for the past two to four years because the city is unable to get the stickers.

The majority of bikes stolen are recovered. Simonson said that these crimes are merely crimes of opportunity.

Individuals take these bikes close to where they need to be and then drop them, Simonson said.

He thinks the more expensive models may be taken out of town and even sold.

"It’s just about ‘I need something to ride,’" Simonson said of the criminals attitude toward taking the bike.

The only thing individuals need to work on in preventing such an event is what Simonson referred to as the window of opportunity.

"If it looks like it’s not being used often it’s an easy target," he said.

To avoid this, Simonson recommends keeping bikes in a well-lit area with a lot of people around.

If, however, you find that your bike is taken, there are steps you can take to get it back.

Simonson said to first report it stolen; if police pick up and recognize a bike that was reported stolen, the city will try and get in touch with the owner to let them know.

You may also come down to the Law Enforcement Center and ask to look in the Bike Shed for your bike.

The Bike Shed is a building rented to store bikes and other recovered property; if items are not claimed, an auction is held.

To protect your bike at the fair, and elsewhere, there are locks available at local retailers to suit almost anyone.

Rydjor Bike Shop carries U-Locks as well as Kryptonite; their prices range from $10-$55.

Dan Ulwelling, owner of Rydjor Bike, said U-Lock offers the most protection.

While it’s a little harder to use because the cable is long enough to wrap around the bike, it benefits individuals who may have to leave their bike unattended for long periods of time. They don’t have to worry about anything happening.

Rydjor’s also carries a number of combination and key locks. The combination locks are popular, as well, according to Ulwelling.

"They have a resetable combination, making it easy to remember," Ulwelling said. "It has a number of advantages, you can put any number in for your combination, something that’s easy for you to remember."

There are also locks available in different thicknesses, which Ulwelling said offer even more protection because they’re harder to break through.

Target offers several different kinds of locks, as well; combination, pad lock, even ones that resemble The Club for your bike, ranging in price from $2.99 to $16.99. Some of the more popular brands are Master Lock and Kryptonite.

ShopKo carries six different types of locks, all by Huffy, for various prices.

Manager Kelly Miller recommends the Shackle lock for maximum security.

For $19.99, it resists saws, files, and bolt cutters.

"It’s probably your best bet," Miller said. "You can’t saw or file it off."

Miller also recommended the cable lock, of which they have many types.

Prices range from $5.99 to $19.99. You can choose from a 36-inch combination chain lock in several neon colors, 6-foot cable lock, a 4-foot chain and lock, a 6-foot cable lock in which you can set your own combination and a 42-foot sport lock.

Made for bikes, as well as sports equipment, the lock is really thin, and affordable, at a price of $5.99.