In Saskatchewan, bike theft is becoming a ‘sport’ of its own—except no one signed up and no one gets a trophy. And it actually just sucks.
Saskatoon residents are reporting hundreds of stolen bikes each year, like 800 last year alone. And sometimes, thieves show impressive creativity. One woman found her bike returned by a stranger who had seen it on Facebook—but had the nerve to ask for $60 in ransom. Seriously!? Another victim discovered their bike had been swapped for a different one, as if thieves were running a “bike exchange program”…without the paperwork.
Local police are fighting back with the #GetMyBikeBack registry, where cyclists can register their bike’s serial number and details. It’s like a “find my bike” app, but for the analog world. Over 1,600 bikes have been registered, though some owners find their bikes returned in a condition that suggests thieves were auditioning for a role in “Pimp My Ride: Apocalypse Edition.”
Experts recommend using high-quality U-locks and parking in busy areas to deter thieves. But even the best locks can’t stop a thief who’s determined to “borrow” your bike for a while.
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