CMU Police to host express bike registration

(NOTE: This article originally appeared in the September 15, 2008 edition of Central Michigan Life.)

CMU Police will offer express bike registration today though Wednesday to all students in front of various residence halls.

The program is called “Free B.E.E.R.” (Bicycle Express Enrollment Registration).

“We call it ‘Free B.E.E.R.’ to get people’s attention,” said Bonnie Davis, CMU police officer.

Though students can register their bikes anytime at the CMU Police station, Davis said the police department is bringing the registration process to students to make the process easier.

Registration will take place from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. today in front of Kulhavi Hall, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday in front of Barnes Hall and from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in front of Fabiano Hall.

Davis said the process is quick and easy.

“All we need is the serial number and the model of the bike and we give you a sticker,” she said.

With the recent rash of bicycle thefts on campus, the police department is stressing bicycle registration. Ten bicycles were stolen in the semester’s first three weeks.

“There have been so many reported bicycle larcenies it’s not funny,” Davis said. “It’s all because people don’t know how to lock up their bikes; it’s like they’re asking for them to get stolen. People need to get good locks and learn to lock them up right.”

Grand Rapids sophomore Nick Barber is one of the students who got their bicycles stolen and didn’t register his bike.

“I just wish I had registered my bike,” he said.

Davis said without the bicycle being registered with the department, there is little police can do in the event of a theft.

“It makes good sense to me,” said Joan Schmidt, assistant director of Residence Life. “I think all the thefts lately have just been awful and students need to lock their bikes up to a good, secure structure. Not only is it devastating to have your bike stolen, with bikes getting more expensive and with the state of the economy, it makes that much more of a negative impact. I also think it’s a great outreach program for the CMU Police.”

If students miss the express registration, they can register their bicycle any time at the CMU Police station. Campus police recommend students print out the registration form from the CMU Police Web site, police.cmich.edu, and turn it in at the station.