Students are returning to Cal State Long Beach bicycle racks and discovering that they have become pedestrians.

According to University Police logs, at least ten bicycles have been reported stolen on campus this semester.

University Police Investigator John Bellah said the department is investigating the thefts. Bellah said the motives behind the thefts are no big mystery.

"Bicycles are stolen for two reasons," Bellah said. "For transportation, or for the quick dollar."

Bellah said that mountain bikes, some of which are valued at $500 or more, are popular with thieves.

Bellah said that most of the blame for the thefts lies off campus.

"I would hazard a guess to say that most (bike thieves) are non-students," Bellah said. "Although there may be some students involved."

Bellah said that there is not enough evidence now to tell whether the thefts are isolated events or the work of one or more individuals or groups.

Bellah said that as a way of combating future thefts, police have started a bicycle registration program.

"That's the most important thing we've done in the past three years," he said.

University Police Sgt. Bonnie Myers said that victims are helping the thieves by not securing their bikes properly.

"They're using cheap cable locks," Myers said. "They need U-shaped ones."

According to the California Penal Code, theft of a bike worth less than $400 is a misdemeanor, while it is a felonyÑgrand theftÑto steal one with greater value.

Bellah urged all cyclists to register their bikes, saying that there is a better chance of recovery when the bicycle is registered.