How to Combat Bike Theft On Campus
By Brooklin Painter
Is your bike safe on the Walla Walla University campus? Many students have reported stolen bikes on campus just in the first couple of weeks of school. Learn how to keep your bike safe and how to prevent thieves from taking your property.
Bicycle seats are the most common item to be stolen from your bike. Using two locks on your bike will help guarantee that it stays safe. [1] Check that one lock goes through your handles and the frame of your bike, while the other lock goes around the seat frame and post. [2]
However, not all bike locks are the same. Investing in a higher quality lock can fortify your chances of reducing theft. [3]
In the opinion of Nathaniel Sanchez, ASWWU Tread Shed manager, the best lock to buy is a U-bolt lock. Cable locks are not the best option since they are easy to break and snap with bolt cutters. Sanchez advised to “make sure that you lock it through the frame of your bike and not your wheel because they could take off your wheel and steal your bike as well.” [4]
Some options to store your bike on campus are either to keep them in your dorm room or to place them on the bike racks outside. Make sure to use a high quality lock to secure them. If your bike has been stolen on campus, report it to campus security immediately. Campus security can be contacted at (509) 527-2222.
References
1. (n.d.). Securing your saddle – how to outsmart thieves. British Cycling. Retrieved October 13, 2021, from https://bit.ly/3vnvOmE.
2. (2020, October 29). Keep your bike seat locked and safe. Bike to Everything. Retrieved October 14, 2021, from https://biketoeverything.com/2018/01/01/bike-seat-lock/.
3. Interview with Nathaniel Sanchez, ASWWU Tread Shed manager 10/14/2021.
4. Ibid.
