91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ

Skip to content

Fewer bikes stolen in 2024, so far in Kelowna: RCMP

So far in 2024, there have been 48 less bike thefts compared to 2023
seized-bike
One of the 216 stolen bikes in Kelowna so far in 2024.

Bike thefts in Kelowna are down from 2023, according to RCMP.

So far in 2024, there have been 216 bike thefts under $5,000. In the same time period last year, there were 264.

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵœWe are certainly happy to see a decrease in the number of bikes being reported stolen from last year," said Kelowna RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Michael Gauthier. "We believe there is a correlation between the decrease in numbers and the success of the bait bike program over the last couple of years along with our Repeat Offender Management Program."

Kelowna RCMP also recently completed a bike theft analysis. Reviewing 50 samples of bike thefts under $5,000 from this year, RCMP looked at several factors to complete their results, which determined:

  • Approximately 84 per cent of thefts occurred between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.;
  • Mondays and Thursdays had the highest number of thefts, noon and 9 respectively;
  • 58 per cent of thefts included some forced entry (a cut lock or break-in to secure storage);
  • 64 per cent of complainants did not provide a serial number.

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵœBike owners are definitely taking steps to purchase the right locks and secure their bikes, but we91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™d still like to see an increase in owners documenting serial numbers and taking photos of their bikes," continued Gauthier. "It91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s not impossible to return a bike without the serial number, but it certainly makes it more difficult to locate the correct owner. As a result, we are often left with seized bikes in our detachment storage that eventually get donated as we are unable to identify owners."

RCMP reminds the public that the City of Kelowna's bike valet program offers a safe, secure, and free place to park bikes. It is open Wednesday-Monday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and it is located at the corner of Bernard Avenue and Mill Street. The program also offers assistance in registering bikes through .

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵœWe can91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™t eliminate bike theft, but we can deter it and everyone has a role to play in this. The City of Kelowna has valuable information in their and the RCMP will continue advocating for bike owners by making all efforts at returning their property and holding those responsible for stealing it accountable.91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ



Jordy Cunningham

About the Author: Jordy Cunningham

Hailing from Ladner, B.C., I have been passionate about sports, especially baseball, since I was young. In 2018, I graduated from Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops with a Bachelor of Journalism degree
Read more



(or

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ

) document.head.appendChild(flippScript); window.flippxp = window.flippxp || {run: []}; window.flippxp.run.push(function() { window.flippxp.registerSlot("#flipp-ux-slot-ssdaw212", "Black Press Media Standard", 1281409, [312035]); }); }