By Melissa Werthmann, News Correspondent
Students at Northeastern are worried about a recent rash of bike theft and would like to see officials do more to prevent it.
In November, 12 bikes were reported stolen, at least 10 of which were secured using cable locks rather than the more secure U-lock. One bike was taken after a student failed to secure it properly with a U-lock.
The Northeastern University Division of Public Safety (NUPD) released its 2011-2012 annual report in October, which listed crime prevention programs and projects at Northeastern, including the Laptop and Bicycle Theft Prevention Program.
In the report, NUPD officials wrote, “The Public Safety Division’s Special Services Unit promotes laptop and bicycle theft prevention and advises students, staff and faculty on the use of techniques and products to minimize theft of valuable personal items such as cell phones, MP3 players, etc.”
Mia Radic, a junior neuroscience major, uses her bike on a daily basis to commute to her co-op in Central Square in Cambridge and occasionally brings it into her room in International Village (INV) to prevent theft.
“If I’m going to use it the next day, I lock it up outside,” she said. “But if I’m going away for the weekend I’ll bring it inside.”
Radic said bike thieves often look for bikes that have been locked in the same spot for a while.
She said those who secure their bikes with just a cable lock are putting their bikes at risk and using both a U-lock and a cable lock is the best way to prevent theft.
Radic said a U-lock can cost anywhere from $30 to $60, but “If your bike is an investment and costs more than that, then it’s absolutely imperative you have a U-lock.”
“The problem with a lot of bikes is that they have quick-release tires,” she said
The tires, which detach from the frame, make it easy for cyclists to take apart their bike and store it, she said, but they also make bikes easier to steal.
“If you have parts of the bike that come off easily, take them off,” Radic said. When she leaves her bike outside of INV she takes her front light with her since her previous one was stolen.
She said the three to four bike skeletons she sees daily serve as a warning to lock her bike properly. Although the thought of having her bike stolen is often in the back of her mind, she said the convenience of having her bike on a rack, instead of in her small room, is worth the risk.
Radic tries to lock her bike near the front entrance to INV, where there is more lighting, more foot traffic and often a police officer stationed, but she would like to see even more lighting and security to prevent bike theft.
Peter Chan, a sophomore pharmacy major, uses his bike two to three times a week, and brings it inside overnight. During the day, he uses a U-lock to secure his bike outside.
“I see the bike skeletons,” Chan said. “The frame is there and both wheels are gone. That motivates me to lock it up.”
He said his bike is cheap and he would not be heartbroken if it got stolen, but that if he had a more expensive bike, he would not bring it to Boston.
Chan said it would be good if cyclists at Northeastern could store their bikes in an indoor bike garage or some place past the proctor station in dorm buildings, but for now he always uses a U-lock.
“Especially with expensive bikes, U-locks are the way to go,” he said.
