Police offer bicycle tips

University Police say the easiest targets for bicycle thieves are bikes that are inadequately locked up. However, no bicycle is completely safe from a determined thief, says Officer Walter Focht.

"You would need 800 locks to secure everything down on a bicycle," Focht says. "Any part is game-seats, brakes, handlebars-if your bike is left unattended long enough, chances are something will get stolen."

Following are some tips police say will help deter a potential theft or make recovering a bicycle much easier if it is stolen.

- Always use a solid-metal, U-shaped bicycle lock with a round key, police say. Thieves always look for bicycles locked with chains or cables which can easily be cut. A barrel key, as opposed to a flat key, cannot be picked as easily.

- Always lock both the frame and a wheel to the bike rack. If only a wheel is locked, the rest of the bicycle can be stolen and the wheel off another bike can be added to yours. If only the frame is locked, both the wheels can be stolen.

-Police also suggest running a cable through the metal U-shaped lock into the other tire as an additional safety measure.

- Know your bicycle serial number which is engraved somewhere on your bike frame, police say. In case your bicycle is stolen, knowing your serial number will enable police to enter the number into the statewide stolen property system. This is the same system used to track stolen vehicles.

- License your bicycle. Not only is licensing your bicycle a city of Long Beach requirement, but records include your bicycle's make, model and serial number.

University Police can license your bicycle for the city for $3. In addition, police say that if you register your bicycle with the University Police, you will have the opportunity to purchase a solidmetal, U-shaped lock for only $10.