Kildare residents given advice to prevent bike thefts
A local representative also said that social media has had the opportunity of highlighting whenever a bike is stolen
County Kildare residents have been given advice by a local representative relating to the best way to prevent bicycle thefts.
The matter was recently highlighted by Fine Gael Cllr Peggy O’Dwyer, who represents the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District.
Speaking to the Leinster Leader, Cllr O’Dwyer noted that social media has had the opportunity of highlighting whenever a bike is stolen — “And also returned, which is helpful,” she added.
Cllr O’Dwyer further said: “Most bikes are stolen from public places and car parks where CCTV limits gathering information under GDPR.”
“Unfortunately, when they are left unattended even for a short period of time they can be picked up very quickly.
“Some are stolen as a prank, but most are sold on.”
Furthermore, Cllr O’Dwyer said that while bike thefts ‘have been around forever’, she also stressed that there are useful tips to prevent bikes from being stolen in the first place.
She elaborated: “With schools returning soon, it’s the best advice is to get two heavy duty U-locks, locking the frame and front wheel to an immobile object.
“Take a photo of your bike and record serial number.
“Another opportunity to help secure your bike is too avail of the property marking facility, which is well advertised by the community police; this adds an unique identification number to the bike.”
Lastly, she advised bike owners to store their bikes indoors where possible, and to ‘keep reporting to gardaí if a bike is stolen, regardless of the value of the bike’.
Cllr O’Dwyer also highlighted the issue on a recent radio programme which was aired by KFM.
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