A total of 440 bikes has been stolen at N.C. State since January 2011. Through bike theft is the most common type of crime on campus, at times seeming like it is an inevitable fact of college life, data from Campus Police indicates knowledge of certain trends can help students avoid situations in which bike theft is more likely to occur. 

More bikes have been stolen next to Bragaw, Sullivan, Wood and Avent Ferry Residence Halls and next to D.H. Hill than anywhere else on campus. In the past three years, 20 bikes have been stolen from Bragaw, 18 from Sullivan, 15 from D.H. Hill, 15 from Wood and 13 from Avent Ferry. Avoid locking bikes in more secluded parts of campus with little foot traffic, such as near perimeter residence halls or late at night while at the library. 

Bike theft spikes significantly in August through November annually, so if there is  ever a smart time to leave bikes at home to avoid having them stolen, the fall semester is a good choice. The most bikes ever stolen in one day at N.C. State occurred on Sept. 15, 2013 when five accounts of bike theft were recorded within 24 hours. 

Times when the University is out of session, such as during Winter and Spring Breaks, also see consistent jumps in bike theft, according to Campus Police. If students are leaving campus for break, they should take bikes with them or move bikes to a safe location. Leaving bike a unattended for long period of time increases the likelihood of having it stolen.