Covered in sprawling shopping malls and divided highways, Fairfax County isn’t the most welcoming place for urban and suburban cycling, but it’s getting there. But as biking is getting more popular in the ‘burbs, so is another activity—stealing bikes.
Fairfax County Police reported a 36 percent increase in bike thefts in the year between September 2012 and August 2013 over the same period a year before. During the 2012-2013 statistical year, police reported 361 stolen bicycles, up from 265. In particular, McLean turned out to be a hub of bike stealing, with 86 rides swiped from their owners.
But police say that many of the thefts happened because Fairfax County bike owners have a tendency to leave their garage doors open. “Thieves simply seize the opportunity, take the bikes, and walk away,” police say in a news release.
Police also offer a few obvious tips. Besides closing garage doors, bike owners should also invest in U-locks and not leave their rides outside for days on end.
But bike theft is up in general around the Washington area. Arlington police said last month that thieves nicked away 126 bikes between June 1 and Aug. 5. And Metro recently said that bike thefts from its stations jumped by three percent in 2012.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Bicycles Are Getting More Popular In Fairfax County. So Is Stealing Them.
Lock up your bikes and stop leaving your garage door open. It's that simple.
Covered in sprawling shopping malls and divided highways, Fairfax County isn’t the most welcoming place for urban and suburban cycling, but it’s getting there. But as biking is getting more popular in the ‘burbs, so is another activity—stealing bikes.
Fairfax County Police reported a 36 percent increase in bike thefts in the year between September 2012 and August 2013 over the same period a year before. During the 2012-2013 statistical year, police reported 361 stolen bicycles, up from 265. In particular, McLean turned out to be a hub of bike stealing, with 86 rides swiped from their owners.
But police say that many of the thefts happened because Fairfax County bike owners have a tendency to leave their garage doors open. “Thieves simply seize the opportunity, take the bikes, and walk away,” police say in a news release.
Police also offer a few obvious tips. Besides closing garage doors, bike owners should also invest in U-locks and not leave their rides outside for days on end.
But bike theft is up in general around the Washington area. Arlington police said last month that thieves nicked away 126 bikes between June 1 and Aug. 5. And Metro recently said that bike thefts from its stations jumped by three percent in 2012.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Most Popular in News & Politics
What It Felt Like for a Virginia Marching Band to Win Metallica’s Contest
What’s IN and OUT in DC Restaurant Trends for 2024
Introducing 8 of DC’s Most Stylish
Best of Washington 2023: Things to Eat, Drink, Do, and Know Right Now
Washingtonian Magazine
May 2024: Great Getaways
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
13 Major Concerts and Music Festivals in the DC Area This Spring
Mary Timony on Her Emotional New Album, “Untame the Tiger”
The Beatles in DC: A New Exhibit in Maryland Looks Back on Early Beatlemania
Northern Virginia High School Wins Metallica’s Marching Band Competition
More from News & Politics
Rockville Police Are Searching for Culprits of a $4,500 Pickleball Paddle Heist
Dozens of Vintage Planes Will Fly Over the National Mall This Saturday
PHOTOS: “Rupaul’s Drag Race” Queens Work It at the National Mall
Meet the NIH Detectives Cracking Medicine’s Toughest Cases
5 of DC’s Most Interesting Ideas for Revitalizing Chinatown
A “Corpse Flower” Is Currently in Bloom at the Botanic Garden
How Emma’s Torch Is Changing the Lives of Its Refugee Workers
Former Fiola GM Convicted of Murder Is Now in a Netflix Docuseries