Karen Nickel
Staff Reporter

George Brown College’s (GBC) Public Safety and Security office is running their ‘Bike Safety Campaign‘.This campaign assists students by  providing them with preventive information on how to keep bikes out of the hands of potential bike thieves.

Most of the GBC campuses have bike racks that students can use to secure their bicycles to, while they are in class. While not all have them, there are things students can do that reduce their risks of losing  their bike. And if they are stolen there are ways they can perhaps be recognized and returned.

Officer John Spanton, of 51 Division’s Community Response Unit, says that it’s a matter of preventative actions.“Students should use the proper, quality U-locks,” said Spanton. “ It’s important to take a photograph of your bike, especially if it is a unique or expensive one. That will assist officers who might recognize it on the street.”Toronto police divisions have a number of bicycle police that are always riding around the neighbourhood. Officer Spanton believes there is a greater chance that they can recognize a bike from a photo.

“Each bike has a serial number that students should locate and make a record of,” he said. “This serial number should be registered on the police bike registration website.”

GBC’s Public Safety and Security office has been providing this service to students during the first week of classes at GBC campuses.

The website, found at: webapp1.torontopolice.on.ca/BicycleRegistry/Submit  registers your name and contact information, as well as serial number and description of the bike.The more unique things about your bike you can list the better.

“Bicycle theft is a low priority for police,” Officer Spanton explained. “In the end it’s a matter of preventative measures. Good locks, photographing and registering the bike and reporting a theft to college security are what I would suggest students do.”