TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Some good news for the thousands of University of Arizona students who ride bikes on the UA campus.

The campus police says bike thefts are down dramatically.

From 2002 through 2007, bicycle thefts reported to campus police dropped 55 percent, with the campus on pace for an even bigger drop this year.

In 2002, the University of Arizona Police Department recorded 524 bike thefts, data show.

Last year, that number dropped to 234. So far this year, police have recorded 136 thefts.

Campus police say overall property thefts - with the exception of vehicle thefts - have declined during the same period.

Police say the biggest reason for the decline is students, faculty members and other employees becoming more vigilant about theft.

---

Information from: Arizona Daily Star, http://www.azstarnet.com

© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.