In an effort to help thwart and recover stolen bikes, the VSU Police Department offers a bicycle registration service for students, faculty and staff at the Oak Street parking deck.

“There have been approximately 80 bicycle thefts during the period of Aug. 31, 2010, through Aug. 31, 2011,” Sgt. Carolyn Glock of the VSU PD said.

The Bicycle Anti-Theft (BAT) program allows students, faculty and staff to register their bicycles with the VSU PD so that identification of one’s bicycle may assist in recovering the bike in the event of a theft.

For a How-To guide on how to register your bike with the BAT program watch this video.

Students may visit the VSU PD to fill out the registration form. It’s best to bring the bicycle to the Oak Street VSU PD office to complete the registration process, so officers can assist in locating the serial number on bottom of the bicycle frame. Upon registration, participants will be given a sticker that is assigned to the bike and that sticker will be placed on the newly registered bicycle.

Students may also visit the VSU PD portal at VSU website, select “Areas of Operation”, click on the “Crime Prevention” link, select “programs and services” and click on the Bicycle Anti-Theft link. Fill out the form online and print a copy to take to the Oak Street office to complete the registration process.

The VSU PD will also come to the dorms so that students may register their bicycles in that manner as well.

The process of registering your bike is only one step in the actions you may take against bicycle theft.

If your bike is stolen, file a report with the VSU PD. When a registered bike is reported stolen, the information is entered into a computer program that alerts police departments country-wide.

Some bikes have been returned from other counties and as far as other states.

Glock offers further advice when selecting a lock for your bicycle.

“We suggest using a U-lock as the best measure for keeping your bicycle safe,” Glock said. “Not all locks are created equal and a good sturdy U-lock with a metal shackle works best.”