Calgary police crack down on bike theft in downtown core

The Bike Shop offered to clean the bicycles and ensure they were safe to ride again, police said. (Calgary Police Service handout)

Calgary police have laid charges in a two-month long operation aimed at curbing the amount of bike thefts in the downtown core.

The initiative, which ran in October and November, saw 64 warrants executed, 15 summons issued and two criminal charges laid.

Three stolen bikes were returned to their owners.

"Recovered stolen bicycles are often unsafe to return to their owners, as systems like the brakes are frequently compromised and the bikes can be in unsanitary conditions," police said in a Wednesday news release.

"Officers contacted a local company, The Bike Shop, which generously offered to clean the bicycles and ensure they were safe to ride again, free of charge, before returning them to their owners."

Police are reminding cyclists to register their bike on the city's Bike Index, a free online bike service.

How to prevent bike theft:

Ensure your bike is locked up properly by securing the wheels and the bike frame to a solid object;

Use multiple locks;

Take easily removable items with you, such as bells, seats and lights;

Never leave your bike locked in an easily accessible place for long periods of time, such as overnight;

Ensure garages and storage sheds are locked;

Record your bike’s make, model, colour, serial number and any other defining characteristics and take photos of your bike to assist in recovery; and,

If your bike goes missing, report it to police and report it as lost or stolen on Bike Index.