HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Recently released data highlights an alarming trend in Hawaii, with the state ranking ninth in the U.S. for bicycle theft rates in 2023. A total of 1,110 bicycles were reported stolen, representing an average loss of $1,240.13 per bike, according to an analysis by JOIN, a cycling training app.
The statistics, drawn from the latest crime data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, reveal that about 150,000 bicycles were reported lost or stolen nationwide in 2023. In response to these troubling figures, the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) is taking action. Spokesperson Kerry Yoshida explained that HPD conducts operations targeting bicycles that may have violations, often checking for registration and theft.
Yoshida stated, “We do this because it’s a known method of transportation for criminal activity.” Examining HPD records, 240 bicycles were reported stolen on Oahu between June 2024 and June 2025, with nearly one-third of those thefts occurring in District 1, which encompasses the Downtown area of Honolulu. Notably, the Downtown area alone accounted for 83 stolen bikes.
Experts on cycling safety, such as Malia Harunaga, the director of adult education at the Hawaii Bicycling League (HBL), suggest that the rampant thefts are closely linked to inadequate locking practices by cyclists. “I think it has to do with not having a lot of great, secure places to lock up your bikes,” Harunaga noted.
Harunaga’s insights were echoed by personal stories from victims of bicycle theft, such as Stevie Wu, a former University of Hawaii at Manoa student. Wu recounted the day her bicycle was stolen from the racks outside the athletic training room after a particularly wet practice session. Although she had removed her seat to deter thieves, she returned the next day to find her bike missing. Thankfully, it was registered, allowing her to report the theft to the UH Department of Public Safety, but it was never recovered.
Reflecting on the incident, Wu stated, “People would say, ‘You better lock it [your bike] up good’ just because people were getting their stuff stolen a lot.” Meanwhile, the University of Hawaii does not track stolen bicycles officially, as there is no federal mandate to do so. Dan Meisenzahl, UH director of communications, mentioned that the university’s Department of Public Safety does distribute flyers on bicycle safety during new student orientations and resource fairs.
In addition to these efforts, a specialized bicycle cage has been installed near Frear Hall for added security, though there are currently no staff available to comment on its usage. Harunaga emphasizes the key to preventing theft is minimizing the time and opportunity available for thieves to tamper with a lock: “You want to make sure you’re locking up in a high visibility place where there’s a lot of pedestrians walking around.”
Christopher Salas, HBL’s event director, shared his own experiences of bicycle theft, including two incidents—one of which occurred on campus. His first bike, which was not registered, was stolen due to the limited bike rack availability outside his dormitory. “It’s partially my fault, but if there was more bike racks, I could’ve had the opportunity to lock it up properly,” he reflected.
His second experience of theft took place at the Ala Moana Center, in an area he believed was secure. Although he had locked up his registered bike effectively, it was still stolen. Frustrated with the lack of action on the police reports, Salas recounted his dissatisfaction: “It just seemed like they were all either dragging their feet or not much was happening towards trying to figure it out.”
Salas’s experiences have driven him to take bicycle security more seriously, with a focus on indoor storage at night to protect his bike. He insists on the importance of bicycle registration in Hawaii, emphasizing it not only aids in the recovery of stolen bicycles but also supports cycling infrastructure through the associated fees. Registration for bicycles with a diameter of at least 20 inches costs $15, allowing police to reach out to owners when bikes are recovered.
In response to the increasing rate of bike thefts, the HBL provides workshops and presentations aimed at educating the community on theft prevention and general safety. Their website is also a resource for individuals seeking information on how to register their bikes and for details on related events.
Harunaga underscored a critical point: bicycles can easily become instruments of theft themselves, equating it to the absurdity of leaving keys in an engine-equipped car with the doors open. She strongly advises cyclists to secure both the frame and the rear wheel, as these are the components most likely to be targeted by thieves.
For those wary of theft, Harunaga recommends utilizing Biki, a bikeshare program operated by the nonprofit Bikeshare Hawaii, as a practical alternative to owning and securing a bike. As Hawaii faces growing issues with bicycle theft, experts continue to advocate for improved infrastructure and safety practices to protect cyclists and their property.
image source from：hawaiinewsnow
