Garages in Coventry will be put to good use if a new police initiative to improve bike security takes off.
The police are encouraging cyclists to follow crime prevention tips including ensuring that their property is registered online and correctly mark.
The police recently seized a number of stolen bikes and returned them to their rightful owners.
St Michael’s neighbourhood police team’s Pc Antony Coy said: “With the weather set to get better we are expecting to see an increase in the number of people travelling by bike in our community.
“Whether cyclists are riding to work, or if they are popping out with their children for more recreational purposes then we want them to start and finish their journey with crime prevention in mind.”
Cyclists have been advised to keep their bikes in cycle storages, garages or, if they are unavailable, well-lit spot covered by CCTV. Cyclists can also boost their bike’s security by logging the bike’s details on www.immobilise.com.
This system allows officers to check against the database and return bikes to their rightful owners if they are stolen.
If cyclists do not have the internet, they can have their postcode engraved on the bike frames at many cycle shops for a small fee.
PC Coy added: “We currently have a number of bikes that we have seized following arrests or the execution of warrants.
“Some are of high value and other could be an essential mode of transport or a treasured childhood possession.
“Unfortunately owners haven’t taken the few minutes needed to register or mark their bikes.
“This would have not only helped us return the bike but could also have helped us progress our investigations.”
Police have also said that bikes will be less likely to be stolen if they are not left unattended and if they are locked they should be locked next onto an immovable object. It is also suggested that two locks should be used rather than one.
The best scenario is if bikes are stored locked inside a shed or garage at home.
If you would like more information about crime prevention, visit www.west-midlands.police.uk.