Bike thefts are on the rise in Montreal. Here are some ways to break the cycle

Susheel Anugu believed he had taken every precaution to protect his bike.

Equipped with a heavy-duty lock for the frame, two alarm systems, and pinhead locks for his wheels, he never anticipated becoming a victim of the pervasive bike theft issue in Montreal. Yet, his bike was stolen last week from his work compound after he inadvertently forgot to lock the frame for the first time in four months of living and commuting in the city.

“I felt so bad that day, I couldn’t even eat anything,” Anugu said.

He reported the $1,500 bike theft to the police, but the officer advised him not to get his hopes up.

“He literally said there was no point in filing a police report, as they wouldn’t investigate bike thefts,” Anugu recounted.

Anugu's experience is far from unique. Montreal police report a significant rise in bike thefts since the pandemic, with no signs of the trend diminishing.

Data from the Service de police de la ville de Montréal (SPVM) shows that 1,348 bikes were reported stolen between January 1 and July 31 this year, nearly matching last year's figures for the same period. By 2023, the total number of reported bike thefts reached 3,147, an 18 percent increase from 2022’s 2,656 and a 50 percent rise from 2020’s 2,093.

Vélo Québec’s program director, Magali Bebronne, notes that these figures may not capture the full extent of the problem.

“Many people don’t report their stolen bikes, thinking it’s pointless,” Bebronne said.

To combat theft, Vélo Québec and Montreal police recommend registering bikes on the anti-theft app Garage 529. This app, which the SPVM has partnered with since 2021, allows cyclists to register their bikes with a serial number and photos, and to obtain a registration sticker that may deter thieves.

Vancouver, which launched Garage 529, saw a significant drop in bike thefts from 4,000 in 2015 to 1,300 last year.

Since its introduction in Montreal, 25,000 bikes have been registered on Garage 529. Of these, 2,000 have been reported stolen, with 200 successfully returned to their owners.

Despite being registered with the app and using other precautions, Anugu's bike was still stolen.

Vélo Québec CEO Jean-François Rheault points out that the increasing demand for bikes has led to more thefts. He advises investing in a high-quality lock, preferably starting at $100, or using multiple types of locks.

“We also see many cyclists using trackers like Airtags to track their bikes if they go missing,” Rheault added.

He also advocates for the development of secure bicycle facilities by employers and the city of Montreal, which would give cyclists safe places to store their bikes.

“The fear of bike theft influences people’s decisions,” Rheault said. “If people know they won’t have a secure place to lock their bike, they might avoid using it.”

As for Anugu, he plans to buy another bike but remains skeptical about its security.

“No matter how much security we have, Montreal is Montreal. Bikes keep getting stolen,” he said.