Locked up, but is it safe?

Riding the streetcar today I overheard some guys talking about how one of them had found a bike. It wasn't clear if this was really a bike that was abandoned somewhere -- which means it was probably stolen at one point -- or if this guy had "found" a bike someone hadn't taken the time to lock up properly. Either way, it reminded me of how many people I know who've had bikes disappear from all kinds of places, whether it be where they were carefully locked up in a very public place or taken from their own backyard.

If you're a cyclist, registering your bike with the Toronto Police may help the police get it back to you if it's stolen. Of course they have to recover it first, but judging from the police online auctions there are plenty of times when they're left with bikes no one has claimed. Registering is free and only takes few minutes, so you may want to put it on your to-do list for this weekend before the weather gets really nice for riding -- and thieving.

Photo © Marilyn Campbell