USF Police Registration Program Boosts Recovery Rates for Stolen Bicycles and Scooters

Learn how the USF Police registration program helps students recover stolen bicycles and scooters amid a surge in campus vehicle thefts.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 9:14 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Oracle

A Preventative Measure for Campus Commuters

The University of South Florida’s University Police (UP) is actively promoting a specialized registration program designed to identify and recover stolen bicycles and scooters. For students like Eduardo Manke, a junior mechanical engineering major, the service provided an immediate return on investment. Manke registered his bicycle in June and, just six months later, UP officers recovered the vehicle after it was stolen from the Collins Boulevard Parking Garage before the student even realized it was missing.

Streamlined Registration Process for Students and Staff

The registration process is designed to be efficient, taking less than ten minutes to complete at no cost to the participant. Applicants must visit the UP office in person on Genshaft Drive to verify their identity and provide specific details about their property, including the make, model, and serial number. Once the information is logged into the university database, a unique identification sticker is applied to the bicycle or scooter, serving as a visible deterrent and a recovery aid for law enforcement.

Statistical Surge in Electric Vehicle Thefts

Data from the latest Annual Security and Fire Safety Report highlights a dramatic increase in the theft of electric bicycles and scooters on campus over the last few years. In 2022, only nine such thefts were reported, but that number jumped to 94 in 2023 and reached 170 in 2024. This trend underscores the importance of the registration initiative, which saw 16 new registrations this spring, leading to five successful property recoveries according to Officer Daymar Reeder.