VOLUME 58 ISSUE 33 AUGUST 17, 2021 P41
Lock It Or Lose It
W
ith summer fun in full swing
and people out enjoying
some much-needed outdoor rec-
reation, consumers should know
motorcycles have been increas-
ingly targeted for theft according
to the National Insurance Crime
Bureau (NICB). In 2020, motorcy-
cles were swiped at a 30-percent
higher rate compared to 2019.
"We've seen dramatic increases
in thefts of all types of motor ve-
hicles throughout 2020, and motor-
cycle thefts are no exception," said
David Glawe, president and CEO of
NICB. "The pandemic has cer-
tainly played a significant role with
skyrocketing crime during the year.
Motorcycles are expensive and
more difficult to secure than other
vehicles, making them prime targets
for thieves. We urge all riders to take
steps to protect their property."
According to NICB's report,
there were nearly 13,000 more
thefts in 2020 compared to 2019,
and the year recorded the highest
theft total in the last five years.
Of motorcycles nabbed, most
occurred in California (9483),
Texas (4448) and Florida (4223).
As might be expected, the summer
months tend to be when thefts oc-
cur with most in August (6214) and
July (5855). February (2701) had
the fewest, indicating the weather's
influence on this crime.
The top 10 manufacturers
of motorcycles account for 80
percent of all thefts. Leading
the pack was Honda (11,030),
followed by Yamaha (8261), and
Kawasaki (6340). Of all thefts,
less than half are recovered. The
NICB study indicates there were
22,403 motorcycles recovered, a
42 percent recovery rate.
The NICB is recommending
the following advice to reduce the
chances of motorcycle theft:
•Use common sense; park in
well-lit areas, lock your ignition
and remove your keys.
•Lock your cycle even when
stored in a garage. You may also
want to invest in an alarm system.
•Don't store your title in your
motorcycle's storage compartment.
•Place unique markings on
your motorcycle and take photos
of them. If your bike is ever sto-
len, you can use these markings
to identify your property.
•Don't walk off while leaving
it idle as this will make it a prime
target for thieves.
CN
Motorcycle theft is on the climb.
