An estimated 100,000 bikes have been stolen in Ireland since 2019, campaigners have suggested following the release of new Garda figures. 

In total, some 25,000 bikes have been reported as stolen to the Gardaí since 2019 but campaigners believe that only one in four victims bother to do so. 

It means that over 16,000 bikes are likely being stolen every year. 

On The Pat Kenny Show, Dublin Cycling Campaign spokesperson Úna Morrison said what happens to the stolen bikes remains a bit of mystery. 

 “The Gardaí have found some bikes in containers, ready to leave the country and some bikes have been recovered,” she said. 

“But with that volume, it is very hard to know where they are.” 

To combat bike theft, Ms Morrison urged anyone buying a bike to be “mindful” of the issue and try to discern if the bike has been stolen. 

“I would encourage people, if you are buying bikes online… check how did someone come across this?” she suggested. 

“Look for visible signs of the frame being damaged from, say, a lock or something like that - if it's been forced, that would be an indication that the bike has been stolen.”

Main image: A bike thief at work. Picture by: Alamy.com.