GPS Tracking May Soon Deter Bike Thieves

On a daily basis bikes are being stolen in the Fresno area. Some are even dismantled in backyard chop shops. Bike shop employees hear many stories about bikes disappearing. Bike experts are optimistic these bikes worth thousands of dollars will soon be outfitted with GPS tracking devices allowing police to recover stolen bikes

"I would say at least once, or twice a week someone is calling us and saying I lost my bicycle," said Rubber Soul Bicycles employee Pablo Armigo.

 At the Fresno State campus thieves didn't even need the whole bike. With the cash value of bike parts they'll took everything but the locked up front tire. Alexis Castro brought her bike to campus and says the struggle is real. 

"If you leave your bike here it's always a risk that someone is going to take a bike, or steal a tire and everything. Just last week on Valentine's Day someone ended up stealing a bike off my second floor balcony," said Castro.

Right now, the only defense against bike bandits are locks. The locks can be cut, but the goal is to slow the crooks down. 

"It's going to take a lot longer and hopefully someone will see it and hopefully your bike doesn't go away," said Armigo. 

Bike experts are optimistic these bikes worth thousands of dollars will soon be outfitted tracking devices allowing police to recover stolen bikes. Bike experts say this will impact the crime rates. 

"I would say huge. Just because knowing the technology is there is going to be a huge deterrent so there would be a drop I would say between 60 and 80 percent," said Armigo.

But until the GPS technology hits stores, the sad reality of Fresno bike thefts will continue.    

"It just breaks your heart when someone steals your bike and you get so attached to it. It just sucks," said Castro. 

Right now, bike experts aren't exactly sure when the bike GPS technology will hit the open market.

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