Article content

Thieves will be disappointed to hear officials are stepping up to put the brakes on out of control bike theft on Granville Island.

The tourist hot spot and beloved haunt for many Vancouver residents has become the riskiest place to park a bike in the city, with higher theft numbers there than any other location citywide.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Free ride is over for Granville Island bike thieves Back to video

That could turn around with a joint initiative that’s all about making bike theft more difficult and boosting cyclist awareness of prevention methods that work. Loaner locks, valet parking, free bike registration, bait bikes and an information campaign are among some of the measures coming or already in place.

For Rob Brunt, a constable with the Vancouver Police Department, awareness is a key part of the initiative. Riders need to have a proper lock and know how to use it, he said.

If you use a cable lock, don’t — unless it’s used in tandem with something far stronger. Bike racks around Granville Island are now peppered with signs warning that those type of locks just don’t cut it.