Bike registry
Encyclopedia
Bike registry is available from a number of different agencies. Bicycles are routinely registered for use on school and university campuses for the purpose of campus security and as a deterrent to bike theft. Some states and municipalities require registration for bikes used within their jurisdiction. Several commercial and peer-to-peer entities also offer registration services for theft deterrent purposes.
Bikes are stolen in large numbers in many parts of the world.
Globally the number is estimated at 1.5 million bikes reported stolen annually; perhaps another 2 to 3 million go unreported annually.
Some states in the USA, such as California, have laws which allow cities and municipalities to require registration of bikes. The registration period typically is in excess of one year.
Several commercial and peer based bike registries exist for the purpose of theft deterrence and to improve the probability of recovery in the event of loss. The registration period typically is from 1 year to unlimited. Some commercial and peer-to-peer registries are typically preventative in nature and are performed prior to loss, while other registries perform their service only after a theft occurs.
The bike owner generally supplies detailed bike information to the registrar such as: manufacturer, model, frame style, frame material, wheel diameter, serial number, colour, frame size, and accessory details. Contact information pertaining to the owner are also included in the registration process.
or decal kit to the bike owner such that their bike can be easily identified as being registered. Decals at academic institutions usually have their color/design changed on an annual basis and are typically fairly large such that they can be easily seen at a distance. Decals issued by municipalities are typically of a design similar to academic decals, but not changed annually.
Decals provided by commercial and peer-to-peer registries are typically smaller than academic/municipal decals and use a more aggressive adhesive and/or construction such that they will remain on the bike in the event of a theft and will be able to assist in recovery and return effort. Some registrars engrave a registration number on the bottom bracket or other part.
RFID (Radio-frequency identification) has been widely used for identification of such things as livestock, pets and industrial commodities. There is a trend by some registrars to utilize RFID, in conjunction with decal identification, as a means of rapidly determining bike ownership by law enforcement agencies.
Commercial registrars make their registration information available to law enforcement agencies on a wide scale by special request of the agency desiring such information.
Peer-to-peer registries make their stolen bike information widely available to all persons (law enforcement and general public)via the Internet.
Purpose
Bike registration is intended to provide:- An element of security (such as at schools and universities)
- A means of theft deterrence and a method of recovery in the event of theft
Bikes are stolen in large numbers in many parts of the world.
- In CopenhagenCopenhagenCopenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
approximately 20,000 annually. - In the USA an average of 230,000 annually, according to the FBI.
- In UK, the Home OfficeHome OfficeThe Home Office is the United Kingdom government department responsible for immigration control, security, and order. As such it is responsible for the police, UK Border Agency, and the Security Service . It is also in charge of government policy on security-related issues such as drugs,...
reports an average 400,000.
Globally the number is estimated at 1.5 million bikes reported stolen annually; perhaps another 2 to 3 million go unreported annually.
Procedure
At many schools and universities all bikes brought onto campus are routinely required to be registered by their owners and to display prominently their annual school provided registration decal.Some states in the USA, such as California, have laws which allow cities and municipalities to require registration of bikes. The registration period typically is in excess of one year.
Several commercial and peer based bike registries exist for the purpose of theft deterrence and to improve the probability of recovery in the event of loss. The registration period typically is from 1 year to unlimited. Some commercial and peer-to-peer registries are typically preventative in nature and are performed prior to loss, while other registries perform their service only after a theft occurs.
The bike owner generally supplies detailed bike information to the registrar such as: manufacturer, model, frame style, frame material, wheel diameter, serial number, colour, frame size, and accessory details. Contact information pertaining to the owner are also included in the registration process.
Marking
The registrar will typically provide a decalDecal
A decal or transfer is a plastic, cloth, paper or ceramic substrate that has printed on it a pattern or image that can be moved to another surface upon contact, usually with the aid of heat or water. The word is short for decalcomania...
or decal kit to the bike owner such that their bike can be easily identified as being registered. Decals at academic institutions usually have their color/design changed on an annual basis and are typically fairly large such that they can be easily seen at a distance. Decals issued by municipalities are typically of a design similar to academic decals, but not changed annually.
Decals provided by commercial and peer-to-peer registries are typically smaller than academic/municipal decals and use a more aggressive adhesive and/or construction such that they will remain on the bike in the event of a theft and will be able to assist in recovery and return effort. Some registrars engrave a registration number on the bottom bracket or other part.
RFID (Radio-frequency identification) has been widely used for identification of such things as livestock, pets and industrial commodities. There is a trend by some registrars to utilize RFID, in conjunction with decal identification, as a means of rapidly determining bike ownership by law enforcement agencies.
Fees charged
Fees can vary. Most peer based registries are free or charge a very nominal fee. School and university bike registration fees range from $2 to $5 for a single-year registration. Fees for commercial registrars range typically range from $10 to $25 for multi-year registration. For RFID there can be a surcharge of $15 onto the base registration fee.Access and Utilization
Access to school, university and municipality registry databases are typically limited to the law enforcement agency in charge of the registration program.Commercial registrars make their registration information available to law enforcement agencies on a wide scale by special request of the agency desiring such information.
Peer-to-peer registries make their stolen bike information widely available to all persons (law enforcement and general public)via the Internet.