Sask. cyclists say stolen bikes are a problem. So what is the solution?

With warmer weather hitting Saskatchewan, cyclists are hitting the trails and pavements.

There's only one problem: stolen bikes.

Many cyclists may know that sense of relief when they approach a bike rack and see that their faithful steed is still there. But they also may know the frustration of discovering their bike has been stolen from their home, or even worse, their kid's bike is gone. Then there's that feeling of anger when they find that parts of their bike have been taken.

The Regina Police Service told CBC that 602 bikes were reported stolen in 2024, which is actually down from previous years. Police were able to return 163 bikes back to their owners last year.

But cyclists are still worried.

Ellen McLaughlin, from the group Bike Regina, said she is usually pretty confident leaving her bike locked in public spaces, because she chooses spots that typically have a lot of people around it. 

But McLaughlin's bike has been stolen once. 

"It was locked onto the back of my vehicle on, like, a bike rack in a residential area, with not a lot of guys on the street."

Within 10 minutes, McLaughlin's bike was gone. 

She said a lack of protected infrastructure for bikes is the most common cause for people not wanting to cycle, but fear of theft is often the second most common cause. 

Gordon Holtslander, from the group Saskatoon Cycles, has had a bike stolen from his home garage. And it was a special one. 

"They kicked in the door and took one of my bikes. It was my wife's bike that I built for her. And so she was heartbroken that her candy apple bike was gone," he said.

Holtslander also said infrastructure is a big problem and more bike racks are needed. He said bike theft is a business and many thieves take the stolen bikes to other cities to sell undetected. 

Lawrence Vandelinden, co-owner of Dutch Cycle in Regina, has had his bike stolen, but he also had a $6,000 bike walked out of his store on a chaotic, busy Saturday.