As students return to campus this fall, many are arriving at class on foot — not by choice, but because their bikes have been stolen. While exiting their dorms, classrooms or dining halls, they quickly realize their trip back has become much longer, left with a broken lock and a missing ride.
Bike theft has been a problem on campuses across the nation for years. Leaving a bike unattended for more than an hour is a risk most are not willing to take, and the once-popular cable locks are now obsolete as thieves simply cut through them to score a new set of wheels.
Caleb Hicks, an art student at Michigan State, discussed the shock he felt the morning his bike was stolen.
“My day revolves around my bike for transportation. My first thought was that I had parked my bike in the wrong place. After searching for a while, I realized it had been stolen. I ended up being late for class. A brutal way to start my morning,” Hicks said.
Hunter Frank, a creative advertising major at Michigan State, had a similar experience.
“I walked downstairs one morning — it was just like any other day — and my bike was gone,” Frank said. “It was not only an inconvenience because I would have to purchase a new bike, but also because my daily routine was interrupted. I was late to my classes that day because I was used to using my bike.”
When asked about hopes of getting their property back, both agreed there was little to no hope.
“There is zero hope of getting your bike back when it’s gone,” Hicks said. “It’s better to spend your time shopping for a new bike than looking for your old one.”
“It was tough to do anything without any lead,” Frank added. “What could I approach the police with? I didn’t know when it happened or who did it. It was a lost cause.”
A common theme is emerging in the stolen bike cases — it comes as a surprise, it disrupts their routine, and there is little hope of recovery.
Some students refrain from bringing their bikes to college, fearing they will be stolen.
Clark Sousa, a finance major at MSU, shared his thoughts.
“I’ve ridden a bike my entire life,” Sousa said. “I have my bike with me, but I never use it. When I’m in a rush, I don’t want to have to lock or unlock my bike every time I go somewhere. I wish we lived in a society that would allow me to leave my bike unattended for a period of time, but it is what it is.”
The effect of theft on bike riders across campus has been undeniable. The success of thieves has left many students without transportation and struck fear into those who want to bring their bikes to school. Their efforts have been abundant, with little chance of repercussions — a recipe for more stolen bikes.
Campus police continue to urge students to lock their bikes, no matter how briefly they plan to be away. They remind students to use metal U-locks, which are far safer than the previously popular cable locks. Lastly, they ask that students who witness suspicious activity report it immediately, in hopes of preventing future thefts or returning stolen property to its owner.
With students on alert and police urging caution, bike theft has become more than a nuisance — it’s a campus reality. Without change, bike racks may soon sit empty — whether students are too afraid to use them or their bikes are already gone.
