By Phil Hnatkovich

Summer in Pittsburgh means that there are more bikes on the road. Unfortunately, you’re not the only one happy about the weather; bike thieves are most active in the summer months, and reports of stolen bikes have been on the rise in recent weeks.

Don’t let a thief take a ride on your bike. Here are the TWO most simple and effective steps that you can take right now to avoid falling prey to a bike snatcher.
 

1. Get a Good U-Lock

Just say no to cable locks. A quality u-lock is an investment worth making. A good one can be had for $30 at a bike shop near you.

Once you have a lock, make sure you know how to use it. First, lock to something solid — ideally, this will be a bike rack. Second, you should directly lock the parts of your bike that are the most expensive: the frame AND at least one wheel. It may sound like common sense, but riders have shown an ability to be… creative when it comes to their locking strategies.

If your lock isn’t big enough to cover more than the frame, a security cable is an extra that will allow you to secure both wheels. Lastly, take any unsecured accessories (bottles, bags, lights, etc.) with you, lest they be stolen.
 

2. Register Your Bike on the Bike Index

Are you near your metal steed? Good. Here’s something you can do right now right now to protect your bike: register it on the national Bike Index. In the event of theft, the information that you provide will make your bike harder to sell and easier to identify as yours. Through BikePGH’s account you can use the service for free, knowing that your information will be kept completely secure.

All you need to do is:

• Take note of your bike’s serial number (check the underside of the frame)
• Fill out the form below.

After that, you can head over to the Bike Index homepage and customize your account with photos and additional details about your ride. Super easy!

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