Coffee with Cops: Bike Safety Edition
Prevention and awareness are key!
Attending my first Coffee with Cops at The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse was a great opportunity to see a 17-year-old community outreach program in action. A very informal discussion with Edmonton Police Services (EPS) beat cops and the community crime liaison brought many good ideas into the fore. I was glad, as the Rat Creek Press’ amateur bike enthusiast, to help bring questions and ideas to the table. Before we discussed actual bike safety, EPS addressed how important theft prevention was in limiting the trade of bikes as commodities for the abuse of illegal drugs.
A community member promoting the Bike Index registry handed out stickers you can affix to your bike after registration. Although you don’t actually need a physical sticker, it does work as a deterrent to let a would-be thief know you have it registered. The process works by adding your name, bike manufacturer, and serial number to the website, so that if your bike is lost or stolen you can report it in case it is found. This way, you can prove that you own the bike and easily get it returned. Often the bike shop seller also registers the bike at point of sale, so it’s a good idea to check with the index if you are buying a bike from a random seller to verify it is not stolen.
Beyond theft prevention, the site is a great place to keep pictures and part details of your two-wheeled companion. EPS collects 25-30 bicycles each week and, in the past, only 24 percent of these were returned to owners. Those numbers have improved due to the Bike Index registry — the amount of bikes reunited with their owners has quadrupled since the program started in 2019!
Theft prevention tips:
Always secure bikes with high-quality U-locks or heavy-duty chain locks, not cables.
Follow the "lock it or lose it" principle even for quick stops.
Secure your bike properly by looping the lock through both the frame and rear wheel if possible.
Use one of the many community bike parking loops or a secure pole that can’t be removed or broken.
If your bike lights are valuable, consider removable lights when you park.
For extra protection, if you are leaving your bike for a longer period, use a quick-release front tire that you can take with you.
Lock up your bike even if you have it parked in your garage or yard, as thieves tend to commit crimes of opportunity when available.
Report the theft to the EPS. As not only does this give the crime prevention officers an idea of where theft is happening, but there is always a chance of recovery. You can do this on the website linked here.
Consider air tags to help aid the tracking of your stolen bike and don’t hesitate to call the police to help with retrieval. It may not seem a priority crime, but local enforcement officers are more than happy to assist at any level.
Unique identifiers on your bike can aid in identification of a found bike and may deter theft. Make sure to note them in the Bike Index registration.
You can find other great tips on our local Bike Edmonton website.
General bike safety
When it came to bike safety, the EPS reiterated the basic rules of the road and you can find more information on the City of Edmonton website. Here is a short list of the basics:
Head Protection: Always wear a helmet that fits properly and is secured.
Visibility: Wear light-coloured or bright clothing and use reflectors on your helmet, clothes, and bike. Equip your bike with headlights and taillights for night riding.
Signaling: Use hand signals to indicate turns and other changes in direction. Be careful in traffic — shoulder check before sticking your hand out as you could get hit by a fast moving vehicle.
Stay off the sidewalks if you are cycling with an adult bike.
Use designated bike lanes or routes whenever possible.
Obey traffic laws: Follow all traffic signals, stop signs, and other traffic regulations.
Bike checks: Regularly check your bike for proper functioning of brakes, tires, and other parts.
Walk your bike across busy intersections, using the crosswalk and following traffic signals.
Additional bike safety tips
From my daily observations, I have some additional tips that keep me out of trouble.
If you stop in a bike lane or busy route, make sure to signal that you are stopping (see image above) and step to the side or off the path on the right side if possible. Not everyone behind you is paying attention, and many electric bikes and scooters go a lot faster than your amateur cyclist.
Always shoulder check when making any turns or lane changes, even if you have the right of way.
Watch your hand signals in bike lanes, shoulder check first before sticking your hand out as other riders could try to pass. I personally make a half arm signal when in a tight bike lane so as not to smack anyone in the face.
Replace your chain yearly or seasonally depending on how much you ride. A stretched chain wears out the teeth on your chain wheel and can lead to slippage. I have learned this the hard way and injured myself a few times when engaging my pedals too hard from a stopped position.
Never assume cars can see you in special situations, such as parking lots and driveways. Give wide berths or stop if necessary.
Sherridon Routley is a friend of the community who enjoys urban exploring every corner of the city by bicycle. Although he had previously owned a house south of the RCP district and understands the challenges of the area, he now resides in East Glenora.
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