Spring Break
Students should secure bikes with U-bolt locks, turn-keys
By: Madiha Rizvi
Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: News
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"To prevent theft and keep bicycles safe, we suggest using a case hardened U-bolt lock - which looks like a horse shoe-looking lock," said Master Officer Dee Donovan of University Police Department. "If the bicycle is locked to a fixed object [bike rack], then it takes more time to unlock it. We also encourage using a turn-key style, because we have seen locks opened by ball points."
The number of bicycle thefts decreased at Texas A&M from 400 incidents in a year to 240 incidents in 2007.
Areas popular for theft are the Memorial Student Center (MSC), the Blocker building, G. Rollie White Coliseum and the Zachry building.
"All the locations bordering Texas and George Bush are prone because they are routes on which anyone can ride the bicycle outside campus. These are thefts of convenience because for most people they are harder to report and it is hard to locate the missing bicycles," Donavan said.
Student bicyclists were aware of potential theft problems and knew they were supposed to use U-bolt locks.
"I have an expensive bike and [theft] worries me a bit," said Nick Hayden, a sophomore business major. "I usually take my bike up to my room at night because I don't want to risk losing it. I know I should be using be using a U lock but cable works just as well."
Pedestrians can become an issue for the bicyclists because sometimes they don't pay attention to their surroundings, said Lynne Fakeye, a junior nutrition major.
"[Pedestrians] are talking on their cell phones and they walk right into me as I am riding. You have to be on a lookout for what people are doing and make sure they are not in the way," Fakeye said. "You have to be patient."
Warnings are meant to be a check for the students to obey bicycle laws.
"All the same laws which apply for motor vehicles are for bicycles on campus. You can ride bikes on the sidewalk on campus," Donovan said.
Pedestrians have the right of way, and if a bicyclist hits a person, then the bicyclist is at fault, Donovan said.
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