by Bodhi Haugen
EDIT: Content in this article was edited for accuracy.
Bicycles are one of the most common modes of transportation to and from Cal Poly Humboldt. As the semester progresses, proper bike safety becomes increasingly important to prevent theft on campus.
Chief Greg Allen of the University Police Department (UPD) provided data regarding bike registration and recovery efforts. As of Sept. 15, a total of 99 bicycles have been registered with the University Police Department (UPD), with 18 thefts reported since January. Of the stolen bikes, four have been successfully recovered, and four individuals have been arrested in connection with the thefts.
This means that roughly 22% of stolen bikes have been retrieved over the past nine months. Students need to know where and when they’re leaving their bikes to avoid losing not just their property, but potentially their main mode of transportation.
Sage Fowler, a psychology major at Cal Poly Humboldt, had her bike stolen on the first day of school. She parked it in front of the library using a vinyl-coated steel locking cable near surveillance cameras. Her bike was not yet registered with UPD.
“I just locked it up in front of the library,” Fowler said. “It hadn’t been very long — it had only been a few hours — and then I came back and it just vanished.”
When thefts increase, the University Police collaborate with APD to locate stolen bicycles. The exchange of registration details and suspect information between agencies plays a key role in identifying patterns and preventing future incidents.
To help prevent theft, UPD offers free U-locks to students who register their bikes with UPD. This initiative provides a stronger deterrent than typical cable locks and contributes to overall campus safety.
Another effective strategy is parking bikes near CCTV surveillance cameras.
“Bike racks across campus are monitored by CCTV cameras, providing broad coverage of storage areas, pedestrian pathways, and surrounding access points,” Allen said in an email on Sept. 15. “Camera placement helps deter theft, enhancing the overall safety of the campus community.”
However, not all bike racks are under camera surveillance. It’s important for students to park their bicycles in visible, well-monitored areas and check on them regularly with a proper lock.
Investing in a U-lock is one of the most effective deterrents against bike theft. Locking a bike correctly while securing the frame as well as both wheels with a U-lock and cable can make it significantly harder for thieves to steal parts or the entire bike.
Taking the initiative to keep your ride safe can give you peace of mind, both on and off campus.
Bodhi Haugen is a journalism major and writer for the Lumberjack at CalPoly Humboldt. Bodhi is on KRFH and enjoys reading, writing, photography, and art. You can reach him at bgh27@humboldt.edu.
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