USF’s University Police has a bike and scooter registration program, which helps identify, locate and recover lost or stolen vehicles. ORACLE PHOTO/DYLAN SABOL

Eduardo Manke registered his bicycle with USF’s University Police in June after learning about the program through a friend whose bicycle had been stolen and later recovered.

“I was with him when someone from [UP] went up to him, saying that they found a bike, and they mentioned the program to register,” said Manke, a junior mechanical engineering major.

Manke said he then went to UP’s office in person to register for the program, which took him less than 10 minutes and cost him nothing.

“And this is the only thing you need to do for the registration,” he said. “After that, they just put a bike into their system, and that’s it.”

Registration came at a great time for Manke, as his bicycle was stolen just six months later and recovered by UP before he even realized it was missing.

Manke said he had locked his bicycle on a rack inside the Collins Boulevard Parking Garage a few days after fall classes ended and planned to leave it there over winter break.

But just a few days after parking his bike, Manke received an email from UP asking him to identify a bicycle that had been stolen and was linked to his name.

“The service was really fast, considering that there are people who never see their bike again,” he said. “Since I found out that it was stolen the same time I found out that it was recovered, I felt really happy.”

USF Police Officer Daymar Reeder said UP’s bicycle and scooter registration program is designed to assist officers in identifying and returning lost or stolen property on campus.

“The program allows students and employees to register identifying information, such as serial numbers and descriptions, which helps USFPD quickly verify ownership and improve recovery rates when property is located,” Reeder said.

Related: USF police urge students to follow traffic laws after campus incidents 

Reeder said primary registration for the program must be done in person at UP’s office on Genshaft Drive to verify identity. 

After students, faculty or staff provide information about their bicycle or scooter — such as its make, model, serial number and their contact information — UP puts a sticker on it to identify it as registered property.

This information is then stored in a database used to identify stolen property and to contact owners if the property is recovered. 

“[UP] primarily aims to register bikes and scooters, but will register any privately owned item of value with a serial number or Owner Applied Number,” Reeder said. 

An Owner Applied Number System is an identification program to help local law enforcement locate lost or stolen property, according to Hardee County.

This spring, approximately 16 bicycles and scooters were registered through the program, and approximately five were successfully recovered after going missing, Reeder said. 

In 2024, 170 electric bicycles and scooters were stolen at USF compared to 94 in 2023 and nine in 2022, according to UP’s latest Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

Outside of registering with the program, Reeder said UP encourages all bicycle and scooter users to take “simple preventative steps,” such as locking them to fixed objects and reporting suspicious activity on campus.

Reeder added that bicycles and scooters should be secured with U-shaped locks, which are made of hardened steel, rather than cable or chain locks that can be “easily defeated.”

“These steps significantly improve the likelihood of recovery and help maintain a safe

campus environment for everyone,” Reeder said. “Too often, bicycles and scooters are observed unsecured or improperly secured on campus, making them easy targets for theft.”

Participants could also be considered for replacements — obtained through donations, partnerships and approved surplus sources — if UP is unable to locate or recover the property, Reeder said. 

“If recovery is not possible, eligible participants may be considered for a replacement

bicycle or scooter, depending on program availability and eligibility criteria,” Reeder said.

Related: USF annual safety report shows surge in stalking, scooter theft 

Manke said his experience with the program reinforced his positive perspective on the service, as both he and his friend were able to get their bicycles back through UP.

“This service helps have the security to know that UP is going to pay extra attention to your item, because they already know it exists and it’s their system,” he said.

He added that he feels all students with bicycles, scooters or other portable transportation should look into the program and register for it.

“If you have a bike or a skateboard or any other vehicle of transportation like this, you need to register for protection,” he said.

USF’s University Police office is located at 13152 Genshaft Drive. The office is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and can be contacted at its non-emergency line, (813)-974-2628, or via email at usfpdcrimeprevention@usf.edu