Multiple Bike Thefts In Summit Last Week, Police Enforce Bike Safety

SUMMIT, NJ — Several Summit residents had bikes stolen last week, according to the most recent police blotter.

While thefts are rampant, Summit Police has launched a citywide bicycle safety program that will run until the end of August.

To encourage children to practice bike safety, Summit police officers will distribute $5 gift cards to children that they observe demonstrating proper bicycle safety techniques, such as wearing a helmet, using hand signals and obeying traffic laws.

“With schools out for summer recess, our officers see more children riding around town on bicycles,” explains Summit Police Acting Chief Steven Zagorski. “Through this program, we hope to encourage kids to employ responsible, safe bicycle skills and to be safe on the road.”

Police also remind residents to always lock their bikes, especially when parking downtown.

The first bike theft occurred on Monday, July 11 when a resident left their bike unlocked directly outside the front window of a business on Morris Avenue, according to police. When they left the business 20 minutes later, the bike was gone.

Police said the bike was a blue GT Aggressor Pro bicycle valued at $800.

Another bike theft occurred on Thursday, July 14 when someone left their bike outside a business on Maple Street between 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. The bike was discovered missing once they returned, police said.

The stolen bike was a teal mountain bike with white and black stripes and a basket on the front handles, according to police. The brand and value of the bike was unknown at the time the police report was taken.

Lastly, three more bikes were stolen outside of a Springfield Avenue business on Monday, July 18. The victim told police that the bikes were stolen during overnight owners. Take were Huffy bicycles valued at $250 each, police said.

A PSA about bike safety can be viewed on the City of Summit's YouTube page below:

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