Act now to keep your bike safe! (and what to do if it has been stolen)

Charlotte Garay

Ottawa is a wonderful city to ride a bike. But take a moment now to look at your bike. Take a few pictures of it, write down any key information, and research how to find its serial number if it isn’t obvious, because today could be the last time you see your bike.

There is evidence that bike thefts are on the increase. According to the Ottawa Police Service (OPS), thefts $5,000 and under were up 17% year to date in August (https://data.ottawapolice.ca/pages/safety-snapshots). However, it is also likely that these statistics only include a small proportion of bike thefts.

Your first point of contact to report theft and suspicious activity should be the OPS. However, the process can be difficult to navigate. If your home, shed, or garage was broken into, call 911 (if theft is in progress) or the Police Reporting Unit at 613-236-1222 ext. 7300 between 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. (press “1” for the more urgent calls). Online reporting is only allowed if no break and entry was involved. Once a report is filed, I suggest reaching out to PropertyServices@ottawapolice.ca with any pictures and identifying information. If a bike is turned in to police, they are the ones who will have it.

Crowdsourced recovery tools are increasingly effective. The group 529 Garage allows you to download an app and register your bike. You’ll also get a tamper-proof decal to put on your bike that will help with recovery. If it is stolen, the app will send a notification to others, including police, with details of your bike. It’s never too late to register, even after your bike is stolen. Visit https://project529.com/garage for more information.

Facebook is another valuable resource, both for reporting and for finding stolen bikes for sale. Be careful, as not all sites are equal. The STOLEN Bikes Ottawa Facebook page administered by James Thompson is highly recommended. If you see suspicious activity or find an abandoned bike, you can also post here. Thompson’s insights into larger trends are eye opening, and chances are, you will see a familiar bike or someone you may know already who is part of the group. You can also join the Sandy Hill (Ottawa) Neighbours group on Facebook. Sadly, there are regular posts about bikes stolen from backyards, sheds and garages, or bikes that have mysteriously appeared, dumped on someone’s front lawn!

My son’s bike was stolen from our Sandy Hill shed in August. I filed a police report online. It was rejected four days later because as a break and enter, I should have reported by phone, and so I had to report it again. By the time police actioned my file, possible supporting security camera footage nearby was no longer available. But on a positive note, I managed to find a bike reported on the STOLEN Bikes Ottawa Facebook group and helped return it to its owner!

I hope you enjoy many wonderful bike rides in our beautiful city.