With the start of classes also comes an increase in theft.

This time of year there is a fairly typical increase in bicycle thefts, said ISU Police Capt. Gene Deisinger.

Deisinger suggests that students register their bikes.

“If the bike is registered and it is found, it can get back to the owner,” he said.

To register bikes go to www.dps.iastate.edu/parking/bikereg.html.

This will register your bike with ISU Police and the Ames Police Department.

Deisinger also said it is important to be familiar with your bike and bike lock.

Joel Anderson, senior in mechanical engineering, had his bike stolen from Frederiksen Court this summer.

“I rode it one day and didn’t ride it again for a week,” he said. “I didn’t lock it up right.”

Always lock up your bike correctly, Anderson said.

“Even if you are only leaving your bike somewhere for a couple of minutes, lock it up,” he said.

It is also important to have a high-quality bike lock, Deisinger said.

“The most secure way to lock up a bike is a U-Lock,” said Eric Grootveld, junior in community and regional planning and employee at Bike World, 126 S. Third St.

A U-Lock is a solid bar of steel that can lock the frame and back wheel of the bike. A Kryptonite U-Lock at Bike World costs $39.99.

“Cable locks are OK during the day, but I wouldn’t trust it over night,” Grootveld said. “Bringing a bike inside is the safest.”

If you cannot bring your bike inside, a U-Lock is the best way to keep your bike secure, he said.

In some cases, the whole bike isn’t stolen, but parts of it are. Many bikes have quick-release seat posts and wheels.

Grootveld suggests taking the front wheel off and locking it with the frame and the back wheel using a U-Lock.

He also recommends that bike riders invest in a seat leash if they have a quick-release seat post. This locks the seat to the bike frame, and costs $4.99 at Bike World.

Bike riders with quick-release wheels can purchase bolt-on skewers. This would add extra security to the wheels. These cost $14.99 at Bike World.

“Be a partner with other bike riders,” Deisinger said.

If something doesn’t look right, report it, he said.

Locking a bike up in an area that has a lot of traffic can also help in keeping bikes safe, Deisinger said.

Also be aware of where you can and cannot leave your bike on campus. ISU Police officers may take bikes that are in restricted areas.