Gardai are using ‘bait bikes’ and testing GPS trackers to try and catch bike thieves operating in the city.
More than 1,600 bikes have already been stolen this year and cyclists are being urged to take extra steps to secure them.
The rollout of cycle lanes and the Bike to Work scheme are just two reasons why more and more Dubliners have taken to the saddle over the years.
And with more bikes around, it’s no surprise the amount of them being stolen has also increased.
Ten years ago, Gardai recorded 3,000 bike thefts. It was double that last year, and the figure for 2015 already stands at 2,100 with two thirds of those swiped in Dublin.
Undercover operations are now being put in certain hot spots like Temple Bar. Inspector Liam Geraghty explains "we are now parking up bikes on racks where we know theft is a problem, and then we're monitoring them, and dealing with the perpetrator".
Gardai are urging cyclists to note their bike’s unique serial number in case it’s stolen. David Timoney from the Dublin Cycling Campaign says it’s usually found "under the centre axle, so you'll have to turn the bike upside down and maybe clean it a little".
The peak season for bike thefts starts next month so no time like the present to make sure your bike isn’t going anywhere without you.
