Campus Security: Five Bikes Stolen in Five Days at Boise State
A spike in recent thefts near academic buildings contrasts with lower rates from last year, prompting recommendations for stronger locking hardware.
By Simon Bennett ·
Bicycle thefts on the Boise State University campus have increased in the past week. Between Oct. 18 and Oct. 22, 2026, the university’s crime log recorded five separate theft reports. These incidents occurred at bike racks near Chaffee Hall, Syringa, the Interactive Learning Center, and Keiser Hall. In contrast, only one bike theft was reported for the entire month of October 2025.
Michael Collins, a junior mechanical engineering student, experienced two thefts over the past two years. In fall 2024, he parked a bike at Towers Hall secured with a rubber-coated lock. He said the lock was cut in half and the bike was missing. After reporting the incident to the front office, Collins was directed to call police. Officers took his information but indicated the bike was unlikely to be recovered. Earlier this semester, Collins parked a second bike inside a gated area at The 208 Apartments. He did not use a lock, relying on the code-protected entry. The bike was stolen, and Collins noted a lack of cameras in that specific area hindered recovery efforts.
Collins stated that the bike was his primary mode of transportation. Since its loss, he drives to campus and searches for parking spots, a process he described as significantly more difficult than riding. "I just drive to campus and hope I can find a parking spot, which is like 10 times worse than just riding my bike," Collins said.
Philip Krebs, director of shop operations at the Boise Bicycle Project, advises students to register their bicycles with the City of Boise before a theft occurs. The city maintains an online database where students can enter serial numbers, brands, colors, and photos for free. This registry allows officials to contact owners if a stolen bike is located later. Boise State’s Cycle Learning Center also offers an optional permit system. Holders of these permits may park at public racks near academic buildings, residence halls, and offices.
The Cycle Learning Center’s safety guidance emphasizes the use of heavy-duty U-locks over cable locks. Krebs explained that U-locks are difficult to cut with hand tools, whereas many cable and chain locks are not. "Heavy U-shaped locks are the strongest deterrent because they’re difficult to cut with hand tools," Krebs said. A video on the center’s website demonstrates that bolt cutters quickly sever cable locks, while thicker U-locks resist the same tools. The video notes that nearly all campus thefts involve bikes secured with cable locks, while no thefts were reported for bikes using heavy-duty steel U-locks.
Krebs recommended securing the frame to a fixed object and including the rear wheel if possible. If a U-lock cannot reach the front wheel, a supplementary cable should be used. Boise Police also recommend U-locks to reduce theft risk. Students can report thefts to Boise State’s Department of Public Safety at 208-426-6911 or to Ada County Dispatch at 208-377-6790. The Cycle Learning Center and Boise Bicycle Project both offer maintenance services and safety gear to students.
"Be prudent, protect your bike and protect your stuff. Don’t take that for granted," Krebs said.
