Police are warning residents that bike theft is on the rise across Nassau County.
Cindy Shannon of Malverne rides her bike every day and says she’s not surprised to see bike theft on the rise in her area.
She says it’s important for bikers to have the right locks.
“If I’m in the store for a long time, it’s a basic cable lock that I run through my rear wheel, bike frame, and bike rack,” says Shannon.
Others, like Alan Tankus, a member of the Long Island Bicycle Club, say don’t leave your bike unattended, as bikes start at around $2,000.
“People with high-end bikes are really on the lookout, and we never leave them alone,” says Tankus.
He says cyclists don’t like the extra weight of a bike lock, so extra care should be taken if you leave your bike somewhere.
Riders say simple things that make the grab-and-steal maneuver more difficult include attaching a helmet to the bike.
Officials provided some tips, including locking the bike to something immovable and storing the bike in a garage or indoors if possible. Riders are asked to report stolen bikes to the police for follow up.