Bike Stolen? South Whitehall Police Might Have Recovered It

Was your bicycle stolen this year?

You just might be in luck.

police have recovered 11 bicycles this year in the township, and yours could be among those found and being stored in a township pole barn waiting to be reclaimed.

But you'll need to hurry.

By the end of this year (2011), the police will donate any unclaimed bikes to the Coalition for Alternative Transportation (CAT) in Bethlehem or Community Bike Works in Allentown.

Here is a description of the 11 bicycles found this year:

• Men's gray Mongoose Bolt Mountain bike 
(found March 10 in the 4200 block of Tilghman Street). 
• Boy's green Dyacraft Screamer Mountain bike (found April 7 in the 400 block of S. Cedar Crest Boulevard).
• Child's purple Magna with white training wheels (found May 7 in the 400 block of Haines Mill Road).
• Child's purple Next Tiara
 (found June 21 in the 1000 block of Bryant Street).
• Child's blue/silver Traix PK7
 (found July 21 in the 4400 block of Walbert Avenue).
• Girl's pink/white Magna Masquerade
 (found Aug. 24 in the 3600 block of Broadway).
• Men's silver Schwinn Trailway Hybrid
 (found Sept. 19 in the 3300 block of Cambridge Circle).
• Men's red Next Power X (found on Sept. 21 on S. Schaeffer Street).
• Gray and red Schwinn Frontier (found at Springhouse Road and Kilmer).
• Red and silver Magna
• Silver Schwinn Clearcreek.

To claim a bike:

• You must have proof of ownership, either a bill of sale or the serial number, or you must be able to identify something outstanding about the bike, such as a specialty part.
• You must come in person to the South Whitehall Police Department.

Bikes often go unclaimed. South Whitehall Officer Jeffrey Natysyn said that in the past decade, only one or two found bikes have been claimed.

Natysyn, who along with Officer Stephen Brown coordinates the township's , said residents can help guard against their bicycles being stolen by carrying a lock and using it and by putting away their bikes after they're finished riding.

He also advises residents to make sure they know their bicycles' make, model and serial number.

South Whitehall police will register bicycles to help guard against theft and to help residents reclaim them, should they be stolen.

Natysyn said those who register their bikes receive a numbered registration sticker that is placed on the bicycle. Residents also get a copy of the registration form that contains the registration number and essential information.

Since the program started in 2001, Natysyn has registered more than 750 bicycles. 

The South Whitehall police department schedules bike registrations throughout the township, at playgrounds and parks. Those interested in registering their bikes can also call the department at 610-398-0337.