Tim Kelley
01-25-2010, 04:32 PM
Each year, about 300 bikes are stolen in Arlington. Unfortunately, of those bikes recovered by police, only a small
percentage are returned because it is difficult to correctly identify the owner of a stolen bicycle without the serial number.
You can greatly increase the chance of getting your bike back by doing two simple things: Register your bike with the Police Department and report it if it's stolen. Bike registration is easy and free, and you can do it online. Click here (http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/biking-in-arlington/bike-security/) to visit the BikeArlington website for more information. You will receive in the mail within 7 days, an ACPD decal to place on your bicycle which, when visible, is a definite deterrent to theft.
You can also view online at the Bike Registration website, photos of recovered bikes currently in police custody. If you've had a bike stolen in Arlington, it may be online just waiting for you to recognize it!
Abandoned Bikes: Call 703-228-4057. It may be stolen and you will have made someone very happy. Leave your phone number and a description and location of the bicycle.
Bike safety tips
Lock your bike whenever it's not being ridden. Most stolen bikes are not locked up. Lock up even when in a garage or storage shed and lock the shed and garage doors.
The Arlington County Police Department strongly recommends the use of a U-lock due to larcenies of bikes using chains and cables.
Always lock your bike to a solid object.
percentage are returned because it is difficult to correctly identify the owner of a stolen bicycle without the serial number.
You can greatly increase the chance of getting your bike back by doing two simple things: Register your bike with the Police Department and report it if it's stolen. Bike registration is easy and free, and you can do it online. Click here (http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/biking-in-arlington/bike-security/) to visit the BikeArlington website for more information. You will receive in the mail within 7 days, an ACPD decal to place on your bicycle which, when visible, is a definite deterrent to theft.
You can also view online at the Bike Registration website, photos of recovered bikes currently in police custody. If you've had a bike stolen in Arlington, it may be online just waiting for you to recognize it!
Abandoned Bikes: Call 703-228-4057. It may be stolen and you will have made someone very happy. Leave your phone number and a description and location of the bicycle.
Bike safety tips
Lock your bike whenever it's not being ridden. Most stolen bikes are not locked up. Lock up even when in a garage or storage shed and lock the shed and garage doors.
The Arlington County Police Department strongly recommends the use of a U-lock due to larcenies of bikes using chains and cables.
Always lock your bike to a solid object.