More than 14,000 bikes have been stolen in Ireland since 2016, according to new Garda figures.
The stolen bikes are worth a total of almost €2 million, with the average cost of a bike stolen around €510.
Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway make up 83% of bike thefts - with 9,918 of the thefts in Dublin.
More than half (52%) of bikes are stolen on public streets, while just under a third (32%) are stolen from homes.
Garda #LockItorLoseIt campaign.
Approx €2m worth of bicycles stolen since 2016. Bicycle owners to take extra precautions keeping bikes safe by locking them in the most secure way possible. Figures show over 14,000 bikes have been stolen since 2016. #Garda #CrimePrevention pic.twitter.com/EAEPuqvICj
— Garda Info (@gardainfo) September 6, 2018
The figures have been released as part of a new campaign by gardaí, urging cyclists to be more aware of bike security.
Bike owners are being encouraged to spend 10% to 20% of the value of their bike on two locks; to lock a bike tightly to an immovable object; and to keep the lock off the ground.
Crime Prevention Officer Sgt Tony Davis explained: ‘We are appealing to everyone from the pros to the Sunday cyclist to lock their bikes as securely as possible.
"There has been an increase in the number of people cycling over recent years but unfortunately there is poor awareness of bike security."
He added: "Take a photo of your bike, note the serial number and email it back to yourself so you have a record of it. Of the 14,000 or so bikes stolen since 2016, we have only approximately 16% of the bicycle frame numbers recorded".
Sgt Davis also stressed that anyone who is buying a second-hand bike should look for proof of ownership, and anyone whose bike is stolen should report it to gardaí as soon as possible.
