CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Bicycles became a hot commodity during the pandemic, and thieves were quick to get their hands on them.

What You Need To Know

  • Raleigh police report nearly 700 bicycles stolen from 2019 to 2021

  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have not been able to provide stolen bike reports despite a public records request in July

  • One cyclist and mother says cities need a better solution to secure bikes in public

Stacy Lonshore and her 15-year-old son usually go cycling several times a week. They don’t always ride together, but they love the activity for the same reason.

“It’s outside, it’s fresh air, and we love getting places without traffic,” Longshore said.

Her son uses his bike to travel places.

“He doesn’t have his driver’s license yet, so biking allows him to meet friends at stores and parks,” Longshore said.

But his mode of transportation was stolen from him in December. It happened at the Tyvola Light Rail Station. Longshore said her son locked his bike up on a railing. When he returned, the lock was cut, and all that was left was his helmet. Longshore says the toughest part was his mountain bike costs $2,500 new.

“We had just paid that six weeks earlier,” Longshore said. “It was a special gift from his grandparents, me and his dad.”

This isn’t a problem only in Charlotte.

Raleigh police report that of all of the bikes stolen in the last three years, only 9% were returned to the owners. It’s why Lonshore wants a better solution to secure bikes.

New York City recently partnered with Oonee, which provides bike capsules that are secured with a lock. Users can access it through an app. Alpen is another company that has created similar secured bike pods.

“I think that would be great,” Longshore said. “You can’t cut through a steel cage. That would be a much better deterrent.”

Sustain Charlotte is a nonprofit working with the city to make it more biker friendly. Urban design specialist Eric Zaverl said bike lockers aren't the top pirority, but it's an important issue.

“Most of our advocacy efforts have been focused on the larger bike network and getting that built first,” Zaverl said.

Zaverl has felt the pain of bike theft himself. One of the wheels was stolen from his bike in broad daylight. He says once a network is established, advocates can focus on secure bike parking options. 

He adds that if a private company approached them with a plan for pods or lockers, they are open to it.

In the meantime, Longshore wants local leaders to understand the reprecussions of bike theft.

“If you have to bike somewhere where there is a risk of it being stolen, then it’s counterproductive to encourage our city to be more bike-oriented,” Longshore said.

Charlotte’s proposed Unified Development Ordinance would require more bike parking at businesses, apartments and other developments. This could include long-term waterproof storage areas.

That proposal is expected to go to a vote on Aug. 22.