Additional Resources
Bike Index, a free-to-use bike registration website that utilizes the power of the biking community to find lost or stolen bicycles. Registering your bike now ensures if your bike is ever lost or stolen, you’re only one click away from employing the largest network of shops, riders, police organizations, universities, advocacy groups, and other anti-theft partners in our community and around the world to keep an eye out for your missing bike, and get it returned to you expeditiously once it’s found or recovered.
File a Police Report
Do this immediately even if you don't have the serial number handy. Make sure you report as much information about the bike as you can, including unique identifying features.
Burlington PD: Online Form
UVM PD: www.uvm.edu/police/forms/report-crime
South Burlington PD: Call the non-emergency line (802)846-4111 ext. 0 The dispatcher will route the call to an officer
Williston PD: (802)878-6611
Winooski PD: (802)655-0221
Over 80% of bikes stolen were secured using only a cable lock, which by itself can be cut using shears in just a few seconds.
Instead, use a high-quality U-lock designed for bicycles or motorcycles. Used a keyed lock, not a combination. A quality lock will likely cost $40 or more, with the level of security usually proportional to the price.
This guide lists of features to look for when purchasing a U-lock
Aim to have the hardest bike to steal on the rack. We consider two U-locks, or a U-lock and one heavy duty cable, to be the minimum required in large cities to keep a bike secure.
Don't rely on foot traffic to keep your bike safe; years of reports have taught us that many thefts, particularly those involving cutting cable locks, occur under the cover of crowd activity or in front of bustling cafés or restaurants.
Don't rely on the presence of cameras to keep your bike secure. Security footage is rarely of much use once a bike is gone, and thieves know this.
Tug on whatever you're about to lock to make sure it can't be easily removed. Signposts in particular can be easily removed by unbolting them and some are already unattached.
Many bicycles are stolen from garages and store rooms. Lock your bike securely to an immovable object even if in a "secure" place.