Register bicycles, report thefts, Winnipeg police say after seizing stolen bike that hadn't been reported

Winnipeg police say a recent bicycle theft serves as a good reminder of why it's important for Winnipeggers to use a new online registry, and to report stolen bikes.

Police officers were patrollingaround Youville Street and Carriere Avenue, in the city's Norwood area, at about 1 a.m. on Thursday, according to a Friday media release.

They spotted a person with a known history of property thefts riding a bike and committing aviolation of the Highway Traffic Act. Police did not specify what the violation was.

They stopped the rider and checked the bicycle in their internal and Canada-wide databases, but found no indication the bike was stolen. The suspect couldn't explain how he got the bike, though, and police seized it.

After checking with local bike shops, they learned that the bike had been stolen but the theft went unreported.

The bike has been returned to the owner and charges are pending.

Const. Jay Murray said the incident highlights the importance of registering bikes and reporting thefts.

"We often come across bikes that are never reported stolen because people think it's a nuisance or a hassle and it's not meaningful, but I'm standing up here to tell you absolutely, it's meaningful," he said.

The City of Winnipeg launched the online bike registry,which police saywill make it easier to match recovered bikes with their rightful owners,in late April. Winnipeggers can register their bikes online for a fee of $6.60.

Winnipeg police say they have seen a steady increase in the number of bike theft incidents over the last several years. Between 2012 and 2017, the number ofincidents went up more than 82 per cent, from 717 to 1,304, according topolice.

They note an "incident" may involve more than one stolen bike.

Bike theft incidents:

• 2010: 826
• 2011: 768
• 2012: 717
• 2013: 767
• 2014: 816
• 2015: 1,113
• 2016: 1,269
• 2017: 1,304

- Source: Winnipeg Police Service

Time to register you bike

6 years ago

Duration 2:16

Winnipeg police say a recent bicycle theft serves as a good reminder of why it's important for Winnipeggers to use a new online registry, and to report stolen bikes.