While Irvine can claim to be the safest city in America, police have warned that bicycle thefts are on the rise. In May alone, there were 22 bicycle thefts reported to the Irvine Police Department.

Since January, the Irvine crime map lists 58 bicycle thefts — more than the total number of bicycle thefts reported in 2019. Last year, a total of 42 bicycle thefts were reported in Irvine. In 2018, 29 bicycle thefts were reported in Irvine. 

In a May 4 Facebook post, the Irvine Police Department provided some bicycle security tips which included using a U-Lock and potentially adding an extra security lock.

With bicycle thefts on the rise, some Irvine residents living in apartments and high-rise buildings may have received courtesy emails from their leasing company, reminding residents to lock their cars, and to take valuables with them.

Irvine bicycle theft victims have taken to social media searching for answers.

@IrvineCoApts this is the third bike I had stolen on your terrible properties. This is a grand theft auto because my bicycle is worth over $1500. Believe me I will not let this go! #yoursecuritysucks #irvinecompany #thieves pic.twitter.com/5fGBHAv0do

— Amir Torkamani (@AmirTorkamani2) June 21, 2020

It seems the bikes are being taken everywhere from apartment complexes and homes, along with shopping centers around Irvine.

The Plaza-Irvine Board of Directors sent an email to residents on June 23, detailing information about bicycle theft patterns in the area.

“The Irvine Police Department has alerted us to a large increase in stolen bicycles from urban high-rise communities in our area. According to Irvine Police, a thief will typically follow a car into their parking lot, or run in the closing gate as you are leaving, and then search the garage area for unlocked bikes and loose personal property in the garage or in unlocked cars. As a neighborly reminder, please lock your car in the garage, please lock your bicycle to the association-provided bike racks or put in your storage unit, and please leave no personal property in the garage. The Irvine Police Department and the University of Irvine both recommend that U-Locks be used to secure bicycles to bike racks,” the email read.

Furthermore, the city of Irvine, along with the Irvine Police Department also recommend registering your bicycle with the California Bicycle License Application. UC Irvine also has a bicycle registration program.

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