Nearly 100 incidents of bike theft occurred on IU campus in 2024, according to a survey by Indiana University Transportation Demand Management.
This year, IUPD has received 64 reports of bike theft, including bicycles and e-bikes, as of Dec. 17. IUPD recovered seven bikes and arrested four people in connection with the thefts, according to Public Information Officer Hannah Cornett.
To combat this type of crime, the IU Police Department has a strategy: bait bikes.
IUPD places these bikes, which are equipped with GPS, across campus to "bait” thieves. IUPD has used this strategy since 2018, Cornett said.
If a person takes the bait bike, Cornett said, the GPS locator notifies the dispatch system and allows officers to track them down.
“We’re hoping to hold folks accountable,” Cornett said. “We know that a lot of students use their bicycles as a means of transportation around campus. Bikes cost a lot of money these days, and so we are doing everything we can to help hold people accountable who think that our campus is a good place to steal a bike.”
IUPD switches out the bait bikes often, Cornett said. Bait bikes are meant to blend in with other bikes on the racks near residence halls, where the majority of thefts occur, she said.
Cornett said IUPD hopes to raise awareness of this issue ahead of winter break. The goal, she said, is to deter thieves by making them aware of the program and to warn students about leaving their bikes unattended.
“It’s more of a precaution for winter break, but it’s also just a good reminder for our students as they’re here on campus, especially during the winter months,” Cornett said. “Some folks will park their bikes at a rack and leave it there all winter until it’s nicer outside for the spring. It’s a good reminder to check on your bike if it’s parked at a rack, check on it; make sure your lock is still secure.”
Along with bait bikes, IUPD gives out free U-Locks at the police department in hopes of reducing theft. The department recommends students use U-Lock style locks on their bikes to make theft more difficult.
“Crime has no place on our campus, so we had to get creative in ways to fight against these crimes and so we’re hoping that we see bike theft go down as more people learn about the bait bikes and know that our campus is not the place for that,” Cornett said.
Cornett said IUPD plans to continue using bait bikes but is looking for new ideas, as well.
“As we see new trends, new concerns, we’re going to take all of that into account and then apply it to help prevent crimes and other thefts on our campus,” Cornett said.
