Go back
Features


CDs

NNSL Logo .
 Email this articleE-mail this story  Discuss this articleOrder a classified ad Print window Print this page

Registered bikes easier to claim

Dez Loreen
Northern News Services
Thursday, July 26, 2007

INUVIK - Having your bike stolen is common in Inuvik, but by taking a few minutes to register your bicycle with RCMP you might get it back quickly and easily.

NNSL Photo/Graphic

Const. Kile Pharis of the Inuvik RCMP with one of the stolen bicycles recovered by the police. Pharis said that returning bikes to their owners can be difficult. To help the process, the RCMP is holding a registration day on Aug. 4 for anyone who wants to protect their two-wheeled vehicles. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

The Inuvik RCMP detachment is holding a bicycle registration day Saturday, Aug. 4.

"We are encouraging all bicycle owners to come down to the RCMP garage to have their bike registered," said Const. Kile Pharis.

If you choose to have your bike registered, the officers at the detachment will note the bike's serial number and visual description, and take a digital photograph.

Pharis said the information will then be put into their computer system for filing and cataloguing.

"We can store that information with your name and address," said Pharis.

Once your bike is in the system, it would make it easier to recover if stolen.

Pharis said that when a bike is found in town, it can be difficult to return it to the owner.

"If we find a bike, it's either deserted somewhere, or the person who has it will admit to taking it," said Pharis.

When the recovered bike is taken back to the detachment, Pharis said the police keep it for a period of 60 days.

"After that time, we give the bike to the Town of Inuvik, for their garage," said Pharis.

Town of Inuvik director of protective services Al German said the bikes are only in their garage for 90 days, as per the Warehouse Act.

"When we find a bike or are given it by the RCMP, we hold it for 90 days, then it becomes property of the town," said German.

German said unclaimed bikes are eventually auctioned off.

"We hold the auction in the fall, so we can clear some space out for winter," he said.

German added that the auction date for this year has not yet been set, but will be announced soon.

Pharis said that one of the biggest problems with stolen bikes is that the owner rarely has enough information to prove ownership.

"We get people coming in and they don't have serial numbers, or a proof of purchase," said Pharis.

"Sometimes the owner can barely remember a visual description, outside of the colour."

Pharis has some tips on how bike owners can improve their chances of recovering their bicycles if they get stolen.

"Keep your serial numbers and receipts," he said.

"Try to make your bike look different, with accessories, something that can separate it from the rest."

Pharis said that anything that people can do to reduce the number of bike thefts is helpful.

"We receive over a half-dozen calls per week about stolen bikes," said Pharis.

"We know this is a problem here and want to get past this."

A bike rodeo is also being planned for the afternoon of Aug. 4.

"We'll have a small rodeo to encourage proper bike safety, we'll be having a barbecue for those participants in the rodeo," said Pharis.

As an added incentive for the bike registration, Pharis said that Inuvik Gas has donated 50 bike helmets.

"We'll be giving out a bike helmet to the first 50 people who sign up their bike," he said.

"I hope that people will spread the word about the registration and I hope to see a lot of people out there."

Pharis added that a bike can be registered anytime.

"Just bring your bike down and we'll take the photo and get your information," he said.