The number of reported bike thefts in Calgary is rising: report
There has been an upward trend in the number of reported bike thefts in the city of Calgary, based on Square One Insurance Services’ collection of city police department data, provided to Daily Hive.
The number of thefts in 2013 was 1,872, and ever since it has been incrementally climbing, reaching a high of 3,633 in 2017 before dropping to 2,844 in 2018.
When broken down to a per capita basis, Calgary had 230 thefts per 100,000 residents last year — less than the 339 thefts in Vancouver, where cycling as a transportation mode has seen a huge upswing in recent years, but higher than Toronto at 144.
Bike thefts in Canadian cities. (Square One Insurance Services)
The average bicycle insurance claim cost between 2014 and 2018 in Calgary was $2,700 — higher than Toronto’s average of $2,084 and Vancouver’s average of $2,669.
Across North America, it is estimated only 20% of stolen bikes are reported to police, more than 50% of stolen bikes used a cable lock instead of the more secure U-lock, and fewer than 20% of bike owners know the serial number on their bike.
The impact of bike thefts goes beyond the hard cost of the equipment; 7% of bike theft victims quit cycling, and 25% of bike theft victims ride their bikes less.
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