CREDIT: STEPHANIE LAI
Students can reserve a spot in the bike cage between B and D buildings for the year.

For numerous students, a bike is their mode of transportation, their vehicle. If that bike is stolen, the student is left in a dilemma of how to get from point A to point B.

This summer alone, there was nine stolen bicycles and two stolen bicycle parts on campus.

“The vast majority of bicycles were either left unsecured, improperly secured, or secured using an inadequate lock,” Fanshawe College Special Const. Luke Edwards said.

An adequate lock, according to Edwards, is a heavy gauge metal U-lock rather than a low quality steel, cable lock commonly used by students.

“[For the U-lock] students are going to pay a little bit more money, but chances of your bike being stolen go down significantly,” Edwards said.

In order to do whatever students can to keep their bikes safe, Edwards issued some tips:

• As mentioned, use a good quality U-lock

• Secure the lock to the bicycle’s frame, as it is harder to steal

• Record the serial number, which is located under the bottom bracket where the two pedal cranks meet

• If purchased new, keep the original receipt

• Take a picture of your bicycle as it will help both the campus security officers and the police, if involved, identify the bicycle

• Register your bicycle online

“We also have a secure bike cage on campus between [the] B and D building[s],” Edwards said.

The bike lock-up is an enclosed structure that provides security for those who bike on campus by providing a facility that is monitored by college security cameras and is accessed by key.

According to the Fanshawe website, there are 50 bike spaces available to rent and rental fees are $5 per semester or $15 for the year; a security deposit of $20 is needed for an access key. Students can visit the Custodial, Grounds and Support Services Office in D1018 to apply for a spot.

“Students can lock their bike in the cage,” Edwards said. “And rest assured it will be there once they get back.”

Even with the aforementioned tips, the Campus Security Services regularly patrols the Fanshawe campus to try and identify any suspicious behaviour. According to Edwards, officers were able to apprehend a person this summer who had just stolen a bicycle.

The responsibility of keeping theft to a minimal on campus not only falls into the lap of the bicycle owner, it is the responsibility of all students on campus.

Edwards recommends that students who see anyone that seems suspicious or out of place contact Campus Security Services at 519- 452-4430 ext. 4242.