Police offer bicycle theft prevention tips

The Hawaii Police Department has issued the following press release:

Due to an increase in reported bicycle thefts in the Hilo area, Hawaii Police Department recommends some important tips to prevent your bicycle from becoming a target. Bicycle theft prevention tips include:

• Registering your bicycle. Go to the Hawai‘i County
• Securing it properly.
• Locking your bike somewhere visible.
• Parking it indoors for extended periods.
• Creating a unique, hard to sell look.

It is required that all bicycles that have 2 tandem wheels that are 20 inches or more in diameter are required to be registered in accordance with section 249-14 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. You can register your bicycle through the County of Hawai‘i Department of Finance. Click here or call (808) 961-8413 for more information on registering a bicycle.  

Bicycles with wheels less than 20 inches in diameter are not required to be registered but owners may register them to facilitate the return of a recovered stolen bicycle.

The permanent registration fee is $15 and a replacement tag fee is $2. You must be at least 18 years of age to register a bicycle.