Is there a organised bike ring operating in Fremantle? Credit:File "We heard there might be an organised bike ring operating in Fremantle and the bikes are being sold in other suburbs around Perth," he told WAtoday. The pilfering of push bikes from the port city comes on the back of Fremantle's plans to become the bike-friendly capital of Australia. Over the next few years, Fremantle will spend more than $2 million to transform the city into the "Copenhagen of the south". Dr Pettitt said the city was working with police to try and reduce the bike thefts.

"In the short-term we are working with police, using our CCTV network to catch the bike thieves," he said. "Unfortunately you need a good lock if you have an expensive bike, because police have told us they just go down to the train station and cut the locks with a bolt cutter." "In the long-term we will have secure underground parking for bikes as part of the Kings Square redevelopment." It appears the bike ring knows what it is looking for, after an electric bike worth close to $5,000 was ridden out of the Solar Bike shop in Fremantle in late November. Matthew Timmins who runs Solar Bike, said he couldn't believe his eyes after the thief brazenly pedalled out of his shop.

"I always knew there was a risk someone would try and steal one of the bikes, but this guy rode it straight out of the shop," he said. "It was the most expensive bike in the shop. "I contacted a number of bike shops around Fremantle because I knew at some point he would try and buy a charger or try and get it charged. Luckily someone recognised the bike, so we managed to get it back." Davide Meneghini said he got his mountain bike nicked outside the IGA in Beaconsfield on Sunday. The 28-year-old, who is on a working visa from Italy, said he thinks it was pinched by a gang of youths.

"It's just a bike but I was very angry – I was very disappointed," he said. "It's not my bike... it's the landlords, so I will have to buy a new one. I used that bike everyday and now I've got to walk everywhere." Mr Menighini reported the theft to police but doesn't think he will see the bike again. Duncan Wright said his vintage racing bike was lifted from the front yard of his Wray Avenue home last month. "It's an Indy 500 racing bike which I've had for years," he said.

"I don't think I will see it again." Mr Wright said he won't be rushing out soon to get a new bike, because of the number of bicycle thefts around the port city. "I might get a cheap one, but so many people are talking about how many bikes are getting stolen around Freo," he said. A police spokesperson said thieves were cutting bike chains to steal them. "The majority of bikes stolen though are unsecured with several being stolen from open front yards," she said.

"Police would like to remind members of the community to ensure they secure their bicycle at all times. "Owners should ensure they keep a record of their bike serial number and even a photo of the bike. "This assists us in locating the lawful owner if we recover a stolen bike." Ironically, on Monday, Fremantle police were offering residents free engraving on their bikes. Follow WAtoday on Twitter