"The high incidence of bike theft is especially frustrating and demoralizing in light of our efforts on the downtown bike lanes," says Ward 6 Councillor Scott McKeen. "The City spent a lot of money creating this great system. Bike commuting is safer and easier now for a lot of people, but it's a real deterrent when your bike gets stolen."
The EPS recovers 25 to 30 bicycles each week, believed to be abandoned or stolen. Only 24 per cent of these are returned to owners as EPS is unable to return bikes to people who cannot prove ownership.
"It is very important that owners find and record their bike's serial number," says Cst. Michael Zacharuk with the EPS Community Action Team. "The serial number is how cyclists can prove ownership of their property."
A recent investigation culminated with the discovery of thousands of dollars in stolen bicycles at a south-side residence, where 83 bicycles and hundreds of bicycle parts were recovered.
Several of the bicycles have since been reunited with their rightful owners, who were able to provide investigators with the bike's serial number.
Jimmy Markortoff, 57, of Edmonton, is currently facing two charges of possession of stolen property under $5,000 with additional charges pending.
The new EPS bike theft prevention campaign reminds cyclists that in order to reclaim recovered bicycles, owners must provide EPS with:
- A copy of the police report or file number
- Photo I.D.
- The serial number for your bike (in the form of a bill of sale, purchase receipt, warranty card, photograph, or other documented form)
- A detailed description of your bike including any aftermarket parts
For more information on how to keep your bike safe, visit www.edmontonpolice.ca/biketheft.