The number of bicycle thefts throughout the city spiked in 2015, report Edmonton police.

At the end of 2014, 1,426 bike thefts were reported to police. In 2015 that number jumped to 2,036, an increase of 43 per cent.

Bikes are easy targets for opportunistic criminals, says Mark Rumsey, the owner of Hardcore Bikes on Whyte Avenue.

"It's a constant problem," Rumsey said in a Tuesday morning interview on CBC Radio's Edmonton AM.

Rumsey says thieves most often make off with a new pair of wheels by using bolt cutters — available at any local hardware store, and it only takes a matter of seconds.

"Low-end cable locks — the kind that are curly like a phone cord — those you can chew through with wire cutters. And if you have proper bolt cutters, one snip and you're done."

To prevent thefts, Rumsey encourages cyclists to invest in a quality U-shaped lock. Even so, zealous thieves may not be deterred.

No lock unbreakable

"We've yet to find a lock that is unbreakable," Rumsey said.

"Nowadays they use a cordless grinder, like welders use, and they'll go through any metal. They're really noisy and make a lot sparks, but they'll make it through. So all you're doing with a better lock is making it as hard as possible for them."

A lock that can withstand bolt cutters costs between $50 to $120, and Rumsey recommends cyclists make the extra investment.

"If you have a really old bike — like an old garage sale bike — the cable locks are fine, but if you have a good bike, don't even look at the cheap locks."

Rumsey says removing the front wheel before leaving a bike unattended is the best deterrent against theft.

He also recommends cyclists record their bike's serial number, typically located at the bottom of the frame of the bicycle.

Use cheap bike for commute

"Maybe get a garage-store special for your commute, and save your good bike for leisure riding or fitness riding," he said. "That way if it gets stolen it will only cost you a couple hundred bucks."

Bikes are less likely to be stolen in a busy area but even then, Rumsey says it's unlikely anyone will intervene to save your ride.

Rumsey says he's been out numerous times with customers who have lost their keys to help them grind through their bike locks, and retrieve their rides.

"We went over there on Whyte Ave. with a grinder, plugged the thing in with an extension cord and ground the lock off, and no one said a thing. There were all these people passing by and no one said a thing."

"But what can you do? You can't ask someone for a receipt. That would make for an awkward situation."

If a bike is stolen, police recommend the owner file a police report with a photo of the bike and the serial number as soon as possible.