Bicycle enthusiasts agree that theft looms high among the worries of ownership.

“The numbers of bikes stolen appears to be declining,” said Loras Jaeger, director of the Department of Public Safety.

Statistics on the Iowa State campus show the number of bicycles stolen annually is dropping: from 205 in 1994, 148 in 1995, 121 in 1996, to 97 in 1997.

According to a recent press release from Kryptonite Corporation, however, over 1,200 bikes, each worth more than $250 on average, are stolen [nationwide] every day. More than 400,000 bikes are stolen every year, making the grand total lost $116 million.

The release also said thieves’ favorite places to steal bikes are homes, college dormitories and college campuses, while their favorite cities are Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, New York and Philadelphia.

Although the number of bike thefts is down at ISU, the threat is still there, so precautionary measures are recommended.

“Get a superb U-lock,” Jaeger said. “Don’t go with the cheaper ones.”

Jeff Halliburton, assistant manager of Michael’s Cyclery, said the best way to defer would-be bicycle thieves is to use a U-lock and cable lock combination. He said a good U-lock costs about $30.

The bike is not the only target of theft. Parts of the bike such as seats and wheels are also favorites for thieves, according to the press release.

Halliburton recommended buying a seat leash to protect the seat and exchanging quick release mechanisms for bolts to protect the wheels.

“A seat leash is only $6, while a new seat and post can run around $40,” Halliburton said. “[And with the bolt] you lose convenience, but you add protection.”

Parking the bike in a strategic manner also is a good way to fend off potential thieves.

Jaeger recommends locking bikes to the various bike racks available on campus, not to trees or handicap ramps.

He said he has seen situations where trees have been cut down in order to steal a bike, and DPS confiscates all bikes attached to handicap ramps.

Although bicycle parking is limited in some areas, work is being done to improve the situation.

“[ISU is] spending a lot of money on parking areas for bikes,” Jaeger said.