How to Keep Your Bike Safe

1. Register your bike.

Register your bike for free. The Boulder Police Department has a better chance of returning your stolen bike if you've registered it before the incident.

You can register your bike with the Boulder Police Department or at most bike shops. Online, you can fill out a simple form to register your bike with the City of Boulder and register your bike on BikeIndex.org. You can also register your bike with CU Boulder – you don’t have to be a student. Keep the information up to date on BikeIndex.org if your details change.

2. Always lock your bike and use a high-quality U-lock.

Always lock your bike. A U-Lock is recommended because bolt cutters can easily cut through a cable lock.

3. Lock both the front and back wheels of your bike.

All locks can still be broken into. Lower the chance of your bike getting stolen by using one U-lock for the frame and front tire, and another U-lock for the back tire.

4. Choose a sturdy structure to lock your bike to.

Make sure the bike rack is firmly secured in the ground before locking your bike to it. Avoid locking your bike to telephone poles, street signs or benches.

5. Use secure bike parking when available.

Keep your bike locked inside your home if possible. Lock your bike in populated, well-lit areas if you can't keep it inside.

Secure bike parking and free bicycle lockers are also available around Boulder.

Stealing is an opportunistic crime.

Do what you can to keep your bike as secure as possible and avoid theft.

• Remove anything from your bike that can be easily taken, untied or cut off. This includes the seat, water bottles and other belongings.
• Lower your gears when you park to make it harder for someone to pedal off quickly.

What to do if your bike is stolen

• If your bike is stolen, report the theft as soon as possible to the Boulder Police Department.
• If you see someone stealing a bike, say something. You can leave an anonymous report.

• Biking in Boulder
• Your Boulder Bike Map