Despite an increase in reported bicycle thefts in major cities across the nation, the city of Madison has seen a drop off over the past few years. The number of reported bike thefts citywide fell from 492 in 2007 to 426 in 2008, and then down to 346 in 2009, according to Madison Police Information Systems Coordinator Thomas Dull. Through the end of April, there were 48 bikes reported stolen this year.
“It seems a little odd from what I see,” Dull said of the decrease, adding the police aren’t exactly sure why there have been fewer reported bike thefts in Madison in recent years.
However, Dull said the decrease might stem from the Downtown Safety Initiative, which increased the police presence on the Isthmus, where most bicyclists live and ride, in 2007, and also from the UW-Madison Police Department’s use of a “bait bike” program.