'It's a crime of opportunity,' Moncton bike enthusiast says of thefts

For bike enthusiast Brian Branch, it's the ultimate irony. Branch created an interactive map for the Facebook page Moncton Stolen Bikes last year, which pinpoints where bikes have been taken.

Now his wife, Lidia, is among the latest victims.

It's more crimes of opportunity, and I'm sure there's people out there riding or walking with cutters in their back pack.- Brian Branch

"My wife's bike just last week was locked in a front porch, and we had chosen a very heavy lock and industrial chain with the biggest padlock I could find, and in the morning we saw it was gone," Branch said.

Neighbours told the couple they didn't see anything suspicious.  

"People will check if there's anybody around, if there's cars, and there were no cars in the parking lot."

Branch, who is a graphic designer, said the theft map is a "communal" project, which allows people to enter where their bike was stolen, along with a picture and description.

This year, there have been a lot of thefts, some in the downtown, others in the north end and Elmwood Drive areas.

"From what I see, it doesn't seem to be too much organized theft," Branch said.

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"It's more crimes of opportunity and I'm sure there's people out there riding or walking with cutters in their back pack, and if they see something with nobody around they'll just grab the opportunity."  

Jim Goguen, who owns My Bike Shop in Moncton, said he too has been noticing more thefts and believes most people who fall victim to the crime usually haven't locked their bikes.

"Put two locks on it if you're going to leave it for a long time Goguen said. "It's going to look very weird if you're trying to cut two locks and locks are not that expensive you can get locks from $14.99 right up to $35 which are going to do the job." 

Gone in a flash

A bike can be stolen quickly, he said.

"I can remember years ago, when I worked at a different bike shop, a young fella comes in to get his pay cheque, turns around, goes back out within, like, probably a minute and a half." Goguen said. "His bike was gone.

"It was discouraging considering he worked in a bike shop. It was something that shouldn't happen."

Last October, Goguen's bike shop was broken into, and the thieves took four bikes in about 30 seconds. They were caught thanks to a good security system.

Goguen said people should pay attention to where they lock their bikes.

"If you're going to lock your bike you want to lock it where people can see it," he said. 

Witnesses are more likely to spot someone with big bolt cutters and call police if the bike is in a visible spot. 

"But if you double lock your bike, your bike will be there when you come back out," Goguen said.

Police want to know

While some people turn to social media to report stolen bikes, the RCMP encourages people to report thefts to police.

Cpl. Jullie Rogers-Marsh said reporting could provide important information.

"If anyone has their property stolen, including their bicycle, it's very important to report that to local police, so that we're aware that it's happening," she said.

"And there could be several similar complaints and that could help us identify potentially who's responsible."

The Moncton Stolen Bikes Facebook page offers a few more tips to prevent thefts, including writing down the bike's serial number, taking photos and noting what's unique about the bike.

And a cyclist should never walk away from an unlocked bicycle, even for a moment.