Category: News

E-bikes and e-scooters are prime targets for thieves, and the UW campus in Seattle is no exception. From January to November 2024, 30 e-bikes and 40 e-scooters were reported stolen — 23 e-scooters in October alone.

If you’re an e-bike or e-scooter owner, there are several steps you can take to protect your ride.

1. If you can, bring your e-bike or e-scooter indoors

Check into getting access to a bike room, locker or house. Several UW buildings have secure bicycle rooms for use by building occupants, and most residence halls provide bicycle storage in designated bicycle rooms. Access to bike rooms in non-residential buildings should be coordinated through that building’s Building Coordinator. Access to residence hall bike rooms should be coordinated through Housing and Food Services or with the hall’s front desk.

2. Use two locks – and make one of them a U lock

Yes, this is inconvenient, but it can make it significantly tougher for thieves to take your e-bike. If you’re leaving your bike for an extended time, use a U lock and a chain lock. Lock your bike to a strong anchor, like a bike rack.

3. Take your battery with you

Thieves are less interested in a ride without the battery.

4. Register your e-bike or e-scooter

Register your e-bike or e-scooter with Bike Index. Knowing your serial number makes it easier to return your bike to you if it ever gets lost or stolen and then recovered. Recovery does happen! If your serial number has worn off or you never had a serial number, engrave an owner ID on your e-bike or e-scooter. Use an engraving tool to apply an owner ID, such as your driver’s license number (never use your social security number).

5. Install a GPS tracker

GPS trackers, like Tiles or Apple AirTags are small and easy to conceal. It improves the odds that law enforcement will be able to locate your e-bike or e-scooter if it’s stolen.

6. Report suspicious activity and theft

• If you see suspicious activity around bike racks, call 911. This is the most frequent way we catch thieves in the act.
• Make a police report when your e-bike or e-scooter is stolen. If your ride is stolen on campus, you can report online or call UWPD’s non-emergency number, 206-685-8973. If your e-bike or e-scooter is stolen in the City of Seattle, if it’s worth $500 or less, use the Seattle Police Department’s online form. If it’s worth more than $500, call the Seattle Police Department non-emergency line at 206-625-5011. You can also mark your e-bike or e-scooter stolen on Bike Index.
• Make an anonymous tip. If you know something about a crime, but wish to remain anonymous, you can call the UWPD on its tipline at 206-685-8477.

During the early morning hours of Sept. 5, an area within Husky Stadium at the University of Washington was burglarized by two suspects. During the investigation, the University of Washington Police Department learned that several items belonging to the UW Athletics Department were stolen. Among the stolen items were 12 collegiate football championship rings from different universities.

Utilizing multiple resources, UWPD investigators were able to quickly identify the two suspects involved in the crime and recover several of the stolen items, including eight out of the 12 rings.

UWPD is currently seeking further assistance from the public regarding the outstanding four rings. The rings are described as KANSAS STATE RINGS.

If anyone has any information regarding the location of the rings, they are encouraged to contact the University of Washington Police Department at 206-685-8973.

When the weather warms up — we’re pretty sure that will happen someday — more UW students, faculty and staff enjoy commuting and exploring the campus by bike. Unfortunately, that usually means that the number of bike thefts grows, too.

Even though we’re still feeling the wind chill, we’ve seen an earlier crop of bike thefts this year. In the first two months of the year, 15 UW community members have reported that their bike was stolen from someplace on campus.

Keeping your bike safe is important to us. Follow these best safety practices to keep your bike safe and ready for a spring ride.

1. Register and Identify

Register your bike. Knowing your serial number makes it easier to return your bike to you if it ever gets lost or stolen and then recovered. Recovery does happen!

If your serial number has worn off or the bike never had a serial number, engrave an owner ID on your bike. Use an engraving tool to apply an owner ID, such as your driver’s license number (never use your social security number). Engraving tools can be borrowed from the UWPD. Call 206-543-0507 to learn more.

2. Lock

In the time it takes for you to attend a class or grab a cup of coffee, a bike thief could be pedaling away. Even if you’re making a brief stop, lock up your bike.

• Use a U-lock. The vast majority of bikes stolen on campus are locked with weaker cable locks. Investing in a good lock is worth it to keep your bike. U-locks are not invincible, but they do require more and sawing through them can attract attention.
• Lock your bike correctly. Secure the lock through at least one wheel and the frame. Locking a quick-release wheel (but not the frame) to a rack puts your bike at greater risk of theft.
• Lock to a stationary object that cannot be cut. UW has more than 7,800 spaces at bike racks across campus. Please don’t lock your bike to a railing or a tree.
• Check into getting access to a bike room, locker or house.
  Several UW buildings have secure bicycle rooms for use by building occupants, and most residence halls provide bicycle storage in designated bicycle rooms. Access to bike rooms in non-residential buildings should be coordinated through that building’s Building Coordinator. Access to residence hall bike rooms should be coordinated through Housing and Food Services or with the hall’s front desk.

UW also has 11 shared secure bike houses and more than 600 individual lockers that can be rented on an annual basis.

3. Report

• Call 911. If you see suspicious activity around bike racks, give us a call. This is the most frequent way we catch thieves in the act.
• Make a police report when your bike is stolen. If your bike is stolen on campus, you can report online or call UWPD’s non-emergency number, 206-685-8973. If your bike is stolen in the City of Seattle, for bicycles worth $500 or less, use the Seattle Police Department’s online form. For bicycles worth more than $500, call the Seattle Police Department non-emergency line at 206-625-5011. You can also mark your bike stolen on Bike Index.
• Make an anonymous tip. If you know something about a crime, but wish to remain anonymous, you can call the UWPD on its tipline at 206-685-8477.

Remember to follow UW bicycle rules, and have a safe ride!

We are counting down the minutes until the Huskies play in the national championship game! As you get ready for Purple Reign, here are a few safety tips for Huskies fans.

Be a Party MVP

Volunteer to be a designated driver. Let your team know that you’ll be there for them when the party’s over with a safe, sober ride home.

Enjoy a winning party

If you’re hosting a party for the College Football Playoffs, have plenty of snacks and nonalcoholic drinks for your guests and the designated drivers.

If you have a drink of any kind at a party, know where it is coming from and what’s in it. Do not leave your beverage unattended. Avoid drinking too much. No one likes a sloppy Husky. Pace yourself — eat, take breaks, alternate with nonalcoholic drinks.

Have a game plan for getting home safely

• Use your Husky Card for a free-to-you ride on a bus or light rail.
• Call a taxi or rideshare service.
• If you’re walking home, leave with a sober buddy (or two), especially if you’ve been drinking. Your blood alcohol level will continue to rise for 20 to 40 minutes after your last drink – science!

Play it safe

If the Huskies win on Monday, celebrate responsibly. Yell-sing “Bow Down to Washington” loud enough that they’ll hear you in Houston, but skip the fireworks and anything else that could get Husky fans hurt (or lead to an embarrassing viral video).

Don’t miss the signal call

If you’re a UW student or employee, sign up for UW Alerts to ensure you get notified if an emergency occurs on our near campus.

More Safety Tips

Additional tips from UW Police to help you stay safe, including protecting your personal safety.

And GO HUSKIES!