While many types of property thefts have declined in recent years, bicycle theft is on the rise according to FBI statistics. The increasing popularity of bicycling as a sport and a means of transportation have made bicycles an easy target for thieves. It is estimated that over 1.5 million bicycles are stolen every year. No where is bicycle theft a bigger problem than on college campuses, schools and parks where bicycles are left unattended and unsecured.  Bikes are easily stolen because they are not locked. Your first line of defense is a good lock, properly used. Lightweight cable or chain locks are easily cut and offer little protection.  They are often stolen from home (yard, porch, garage, dorm room, etc.) Store your bike in a secure place when not in use. If you are not sure your storage is secure, use your lock!  Ask police, neighbors and local bike shops about bicycle theft and safety in your area. If you know where your bike is most vulnerable, you can better protect it.  Always lock your bike in visible, well-lighted areas.  Make sure you lock your bike to a fixed, immovable object like a parking meter, or a permanent bike rack that is cemented or anchored into the ground. If you use a parking meter, make sure the locked bike can not be slipped off over the top of the pole. Beware of locking to items that can be easily cut, broken or otherwise removed.  Try not to let your lock rest against the ground where a thief can use a hammer or rock to smash the lock.

The second thing to do is to make sure you register your bike.  The Mountain Home Police Department will register your bike in our local data base so that in the event that your bike is missing or stolen, it would make it somewhat easier to locate.  We often locate bicycles that have been abandoned and have been unable to locate the owner of the bike.  Some of these bikes cost any where from $150.00 to $500.00 new and end up being sold at police auctions for as little as $6.00 to $10.00 dollars. 

So help us help you and take a few moments to complete the form below and register your bicycle.  Once you have completed the registration form and submitted your registration, we will mail a copy of the registration with a Mountain Home Police Bicycle Registration sticker to you with instructions on how and where to apply the sticker.