UW Police Bicyclist Information Page

Bike Theft Prevention Tips

CLICK HERE to register your bike with the UW Police Department.

• Never leave your bike unlocked even for a minute. Take the time to make sure that your bike is properly secured. Fit the lock through the frame and both tires.
• Don't park in dark or infrequently traveled areas.

The majority of the bicycles stolen on campus are locked with cable locks.

• Use a U-Lock instead of a cable lock. U-Locks are solid steel and are very hard to cut. The cable locks can be cut easily. If you prefer to have a lock that is flexible like the cable lock, make sure that it is 3/8" in diameter. You can purchase locks at Hall Health (at a discounted price) or at any of the local bike shops in town.
• Don't secure your bike with a cheap lock.
• Always secure your bike to a bike rack or solid object. Secure both wheels and frame.
• Remember that locks are only a deterrent.
• Report all suspicious persons loitering around bike racks.

If it can be removed, it can be stolen!

• Quick release tires and adjustable bicycle seats are good examples of parts that are stolen easily. You may ask, "Why would anyone want to steal a bicycle seat?" To sell to someone who has a bicycle without a seat! It's an ugly cycle.
• Engrave identifying markings on anything removable to aid in recovery, but better to secure your bicycle parts so that they cannot be removed easily.
• Remove the quick releases altogether and bolt the parts onto the bicycle; this may make changing a flat tire harder but will slow down and deter thieves. Or remove quick release parts when you park and take the parts with you. Or use Loctite Red Thread locker; you will need heat and a wrench to remove the bolt.
• To protect your wheels, always lock them with a strong lock.

Check out the UWPD's engraver (return within 72 hours) to place identifying marks on bikes or electronics!

Registering your bike can improve the chances of it being recovered if it is stolen.

CLICK HERE to register your bike with the UW Police Department.

Local Bike Shops

ASUW Bike Shop
HUB 103, Box 352238
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195-2238
Phone: 206.543.2742
Fax: 206.221.2533
Email: asuwbike@uw.edu
Located on the first floor of the HUB, down the north hall.
Open from 10AM - 5PM Monday through Friday

Off-Campus Locations
Bikesport 5601 24th Ave NW Seattle, WA 98107 Phone: 206.706.4700	Gregg's Greenlake Cycle 7007 Woodlawn Ave NE Seattle, WA 98115 Phone: 206.523.1822
Counterbalance Bicycles 2 W Roy St Seattle, WA 98119 Phone: 206.352.3252	Montlake Bicycle Shop 2223 24 Ave E Seattle, WA 98112 Phone: 206.329.7333
Recycled Cycles 1007 NE Boat Street Seattle, WA 98105 Phone: 206.547.4491	REI #11 222 Yale Ave N Seattle, WA 98109-5429 Phone: 206.223.1944
Second Ascent 5209 Ballard Ave NW Seattle, WA 98107 Phone: 206.545.8810	Velo Bike Shop 1535 11th Ave Seattle, WA 98122 Phone: 206.325.3292