Every 4 minutes, someone in the US steals a bicycle, and every 10 minutes, a motorcycle. Even worse, some theft incidents go unreported.

Without security locks, bike and motorcycle theft is easier than car theft. Thieves can also quickly load a motorcycle into a van and flee.

It has become an all-too-common issue, not just for cyclists. Whether you leave your bike at home or on the street, it's at risk of theft. 

Worry not! This article will share essential statistics and facts to help you avoid becoming a victim.

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  • An average of 188,500 bikes are stolen yearly in the United States.
  • 54% of bike thefts occurred inside and near the owner's property. 
  • Only 17 motorcycles were stolen in Vermont in 2019. 
  • Every year, more than 17,800 bikes are reported stolen in Florida. 
  • 5.4 thefts were the US national average per 1,000 registered motorcycles in 2017.
  • The average cost of a stolen bicycle in the US was $724. 
  • 8 out of 10 cyclists in America had one or more bikes stolen. 
  • Only 42% of stolen motorcycles were recovered in 2020. 

How Many Bikes and Motorcycles Are Stolen? 

In 2020, the FBI reported 96,583 bikes and 46,467 motorcycles stolen. These thefts occur for reasons such as profit, transportation, and thrills.

Many thefts also happen because owners are unaware of the threat. The following sections gather the latest statistics on bike and motorcycle thefts by state, damages, and recovery.

Bike and Motorcycle Theft Statistics by State

The top state had more than 27 times the motorcycle theft rate of the lowest state in 2017. South Carolina had the highest motorcycle theft rate, with a penalty of $1,000 or 30-day jail time.

On the other hand, six of the ten worst places for bike theft are in the North, with Philadelphia topping the list. Regardless of the state, it is a common and unhappy experience for Americans.

Here are other bike and motorcycle theft statistics by state:

1. California accounted for 18% of all stolen motorcycles in 2021. 

(NICB)

California had the most reported motorcycle thefts. Here are the other top states with the most motorcycle thefts:

  • California: 9,345 motorcycles
  • Texas: 4,263 motorcycles
  • Florida: 3,698 motorcycles
  • New York: 2,662 motorcycles
  • Washington: 1,947 motorcycles

2. An average of 188,500 bikes are stolen yearly in the United States. 

(Markel)

The FBI Uniform Crime Report found that bicycle theft in the US increased 14% annually from 2007 to 2011. During that period, an annual average of 188,500 stolen bicycles were reported.

3. 5.4 thefts were the US national average per 1,000 registered motorcycles. 

(Value Penguin)

In 2017, 44,000 registered motorcycles in the US were reported stolen. Some states have higher theft rates than the national average per 1,000 registered motorcycles.

4. Only 17 motorcycles were stolen in Vermont in 2019. 

(Statista)

Vermont had the least number of motorcycles stolen by the state in 2019. It is due to the state's extreme cold, high snowfall, and low population density.

5. South Carolina had a 14.7 theft rate per 1,000 registered motorcycles. 

(Value Penguin)

South Carolina has the highest theft rate per 1,000 registered motorcycles, followed by Nevada and Texas. Motorcycle theft rates are highest in these ten states:

State

Theft Rate

South Carolina

14.7 thefts

Nevada

11.3 thefts

Texas

9.4 thefts

Missouri

9.2 thefts

California

9.1 thefts

New Mexico

9.0 thefts

Mississippi

9.0 thefts

North Carolina

8.4 thefts

Arkansas

7.7 thefts

Florida 

7.5 thefts

6. Every year, more than 17,800 bikes are reported stolen in Florida. 

(Cision)

Supply chain problems caused by the pandemic are increasing bicycle theft in Florida. This lack of supply has also increased the prices of new and used bikes and bike parts. 

7. There were 8,122 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. motorcycles stolen in 2019. 

(Statista)

Honda tops the list of the most stolen motorcycle brands with 8,122 reported thefts, followed by Yamaha (6,495) and Harley Davidson (4,737).

8. Seattle, Washington, recorded a 50% increase in motorcycle theft.

(NCIB)

The National Insurance Crime Bureau, a nonprofit that fights insurance fraud and vehicle theft, reported a 50% increase in motorcycle theft in Seattle. The number of thefts rose from 257 (2018) to 386 (2019).

9. 54% of bike thefts occurred inside and near the owner's property. 

(Best Bike Lock)

Over half of the stolen bikes were taken from the owner's home. It is either inside the house or from the garden, yard, garage, and outside shed.

Bike and Motorcycle Theft Damage Statistics

Having a bike or motorcycle stolen is a costly experience. The loss includes the stolen bike's price, accessories, and replacement.

There are also other damages that a victim suffers other than monetary losses. For instance, a bike or motorcycle theft robs people of their mobility.

For some people, it is their time to unwind and get fit. These statistics reflect the cost and damages caused by bike and motorcycle theft:

10. Bike theft costs American communities around $1 billion annually. 

(529 Garage, Arizona State University)

Stolen bikes are often used in follow-up crimes. Their theft also increases the likelihood of subsequent thefts within 450 yards for 3–5 weeks. This economic impact costs American communities around $1 billion annually.

11. The average cost of a stolen bicycle in the US was $724. 

(Statista)

In 2020, the average value of a stolen bicycle in the United States was $724. In general, property crimes average $1,482 in losses.

12. Stolen bikes and parts are worth about $350 million each year. 

(Bloomberg)

The FBI estimates the annual value of stolen bikes and parts at $350 million. This estimate is conservative because it doesn't account for unreported bike thefts.

13. 8 out of 10 cyclists in America had one or more bikes stolen. 

(Best Bike Lock)

80% of American cyclists have been the victims of bike theft on one or more occasions. 7% reported having lost more than six bikes due to theft.

14. 7% of bike theft victims quit cycling permanently. 

(529 Garage)

Bike theft's most significant psychological impact is that 7% of victims quit cycling. 20% buy cheaper bikes, which could mean a diminished cycling experience in the future.

Bike and Motorcycle Theft Recovery Statistics

Your best bet for recovering your stolen bike or motorcycle is to report it to the authorities. While theft recovery may seem daunting, it is possible.

Here are some statistics on theft recovery:

15. Only 42% of stolen motorcycles were recovered in 2020. 

(National Insurance Crime Bureau )

An NICB study found that only 22,403 of 53,111 stolen motorcycles were recovered. A victim can recover a stolen motorcycle with a police report, serial number, photos, and parts description.

16. Wyoming recovers 3 out of 4 motorcycle thefts.

(Statista)

In 2019, Wyoming had the highest motorcycle theft recovery rate of 74% in the US. On the other hand, Connecticut has the lowest motorcycle theft recovery rate, at only 22%.

17. The US police return less than 5% of stolen bikes.

(529 Garage)

Since only 20% of bike theft victims report to the police, this low number is foreseeable. Victims of bike theft often don't report it because they don't trust the authorities to recover them.

Final Thoughts

The statistics in this article show that bike and motorcycle theft is prevalent in the US. It can be a heartbreaking and expensive experience for the victims. Unfortunately, theft victims increase annually, suggesting more needs to be done to protect them.