The RCMP reports a number of bike thefts around Portage la Prairie over the past week.

With the increased number of bicycles being lifted, RCMP Constable Sean O'Keefe encourages bike owners to take precautions to limit opportunity for thieves by locking up bikes, storing them in inaccessible places, marking down serial numbers and taking photographs to identify property if stolen.

The bike theft spike comes as the community celebrates Bike Week — a week long active transportation minded schedule of events.

"An unfortunate coincidence where we've had well over eight bikes reported stolen with the community in the last week," Const. O'Keefe says. "Some unfortunate timing in that respect. It's a wide range of bikes being stolen ... Bicycle thefts seem to take place all across town and that's due to the fact a bicycle can be very easily ditched and another one found."

The RCMP reminds those who may be purchasing second-hand bikes to be wary of red flags that may indicate it's stolen property.

"Always go with it's too good to be true, it probably is," explains O'Keefe. "If you're getting a brand new bike for rock bottom price you're likely buying a stolen bicycle. If it looks as through the serial number on the bike has been filed off, altered or damaged, that's probably an attempt to re-sell a stolen bike."

Anyone who believes to identify a stolen bicycle is asked to report it to the Portage la Prairie RCMP detachment.