Just in time for those new bikes that could be waiting under the tree Christmas morning, the West Shore RCMP detachment is now offering a bicycle registry.
Area residents will be able to register their bicycles, free of charge, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the local detachment, 698 Atkins Ave. in Langford.
This registration will help provide another avenue for police to identify lost or stolen bicycles, West Shore RCMP spokesperson Const. Alex Bérubé said in a release.
“In August 2015, West Shore RCMP found a cache of approximately 40 bicycles that were deemed to be stolen,” he said. “Out of those 40 bikes, only three were returned to their rightful owner by retracing their serial numbers.”
Bicycles are often stolen by opportunistic thieves, he said, adding they offer a quick, silent and effective form of transportation for prolific offenders. But unlike a motor vehicle, no licence plate is required, which makes them harder to identify.
Police hope the registration decals will not only act as a deterrent for thieves, they will provide officers with crucial information when investigating cases of found or stolen bicycles.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com