Boulder reports 14% fewer bike thefts; recovered 49
The city recorded 365 bicycle thefts in the first nine months of 2026 and plans more bike-parking information and signs.
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Boulder recorded 365 bicycle thefts from January through September, about 14% fewer than in the same period in 2025, and recovered 49 of the stolen bikes, according to the city’s bike-security packet. The recovery rate was about 13%, above the city’s 10% goal. Staff said early results also suggest the city is on track to meet its goal of reducing thefts by 10%.
The city conducted six targeted operations using unattended bicycles fitted with concealed global positioning system (GPS) trackers. Staff said the bikes were placed in locations selected using theft reports; officers could track them after they were moved and intervene. The operations resulted in two arrests. Staff described those arrested as prolific bike thieves.
Staff said bicycle thefts generally increase in warmer months, when more bikes are ridden and parked around town. About two-thirds of reported thefts occur at residences, often high-density housing, and about one-third at popular destinations.
For the rest of 2026, staff plan to add signs at the Downtown Boulder Station bike shelter and make similar signs available to businesses. They also plan to create a long-term bike-parking resource for property owners and add parking information to the city bike map.
The work so far used existing staff and departmental funds, staff said. The packet lists potential costs—not approved spending—of about $10,000 for police overtime for future event outreach and $5,000 to $7,000 for giveaways such as bike locks.
The City Council is scheduled to discuss the work and provide feedback on the remaining tasks at its Oct. 22 study session, according to the meeting agenda.