Bicycle Coding – Bicycle Registration … isn't that the same thing? Both serve the same purpose, to protect your bicycle from thieves. But having your bicycle coded is actually the first step, registration is the second! Here you will learn where, how, and why you should have your bicycle coded.
You bought yourself a new bicycle, and even though you were only at the bakery for a very short time, it's gone. Stolen. How annoying! This happens to many cyclists in Germany every year. Bicycle coding and registration cannot directly prevent theft, but they can definitely help ensure that your bicycle finds its way back to you. Here you will find answers to the 21 most important questions about bicycle coding.
What is bicycle coding & what does it do?
If you have your bicycle or e-bike coded, it receives a unique EIN number. This number is engraved on the frame or attached with a hard-to-remove label. The bicycle is not automatically entered into a database through coding.
Through the coding, your bicycle or e-bike can be clearly assigned to you as the owner, even if you do not have a bicycle pass or have it registered.
How is your individual EIN number created?
The code consists of an EIN number, which is short for Owner Identity Number. It contains information such as the place of residence, the street, and the owner's initials. This information is partially encrypted and therefore not immediately understandable to everyone.
If a stolen bicycle is recovered, police officers don't have to search through databases; the information can be easily and straightforwardly traced back via the residents' registration office. This even works if the owner has moved.
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If you have your bicycle coded, you should still always lock it and perhaps secure it with a trackable GPS chip! |
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Should you have a bicycle coded even if it has a frame number?
Many bicycles have a frame number. Many … but not all. And unlike the ISBN of books or the chassis numbers of cars, the frame numbers on bicycles are NOT individually assigned. This means that several bicycles from different manufacturers can be on the road with the same frame number. Then it becomes difficult to clearly assign them to their owner.
Furthermore, the frame numbers are not centrally registered, so a bicycle cannot be automatically assigned based on the frame number.
Therefore, it definitely makes sense to have a bicycle coded, even if it has a frame number! If it does not have a frame number , coding is particularly important!
The larger the city, the more bicycle thieves are on the move. Therefore, in the big city, it makes sense to have every bicycle and e-bike coded, regardless of the price range. Image © Kryptonite
Code first, then register?
With the coding, your bicycle receives an individual number. With this number, you can then register the bicycle. The registration is done at the police and/or with online providers. Usually, you then receive a bicycle pass in digital form or on paper. You can archive it together with the purchase receipt and photos of the bicycle.
If your stolen bicycle is recovered, you can prove that it belongs to you. If it does not reappear, the proof helps you to make claims with your insurance.
> All information about registering a bicycle can be found in the article “Why and where should you register a bicycle or e-bike?”
What are the benefits of having my bicycle coded?
Coding your bicycle or e-bike mainly has two purposes:
- The coding deters thieves
Many bicycles are stolen because the thief wants to resell them. The easily visible code makes it impossible to resell the bicycle without further documents (an official purchase receipt or sales contract) resell, at least the resale value drops significantly. If a bicycle with a code number appears at a flea market or in an online used market, potential buyers have the opportunity to quickly and easily check whether a used bicycle is stolen property or is legally offered by the rightful owner. Thieves know this and prefer to look for a bicycle that is without a number and therefore difficult to assign.
The bicycle coding is therefore primarily for deterrence. For this reason, it is done in a clearly visible place on the frame, with a sticker additionally pointing it out. Even if these stickers are not necessarily the visual highlights of a bicycle, they can pay off in case of doubt.
- A coded bicycle can be assigned to the owners
The police can assign code numbers to the owner through the residents' registration office even without further registration. With a bit of luck, this happens quite quickly, and you have your bicycle back in no time.
You can also use the number to prove at any time that the bike is really yours. Even if you want to resell it, this is advantageous. Purchase receipt, bike pass, and the code number clearly prove who owns a bike. This way, second owners can also be sure that they are not riding stolen bikes.
This bike is probably less at risk because fewer bikes are stolen in the countryside. However, if you are attached to your bike, you should still have it coded, because better safe than sorry! Image © Adam Dubec on pexels
Have bikes and e-bikes coded – the quick FAQs
What do I need to have my bike coded?
- You need an identity proof, such as a passport or ID card.
- To prove that the bike belongs to you, you need a purchase contract or purchase receipt.
- If the bike already has a frame number , you should also know it.
- Since the number must be attached to the bike, you should bring the bike with you, of course.
Do I have to have the bike's EIN coding registered in a database?
The EIN number can be easily traced through the residents' registration office, you don't have to report it anywhere. If your bike is registered , it will be included in the provider's database.
Should I also have an e-bike coded?
Absolutely! E-bikes are currently particularly popular – unfortunately also as stolen goods! Moreover, they have a higher purchase price, meaning that coding and registration can prevent greater damage here!
Can/must I have a leased bike or e-bike coded?
The leased bike is the property of the lessor; in the case of a company bike, it is usually the employer. In this case, you should ask the leasing provider, through whom the bike leasing is organized, whether you can have the bike coded and whether you need authorization for it.
How is the bike coded?
First, a unique EIN number is created, which is engraved into the frame or transferred to a sticker or label and then applied.
Engraving or sticker – which is safer?
The stickers with the bike coding are difficult to remove, but engraving is considered the safer option. Here, the code must be sanded off, and then the bike's paint must be repaired – too much effort for a thief who wants to quickly earn a few euros by selling a stolen bike.
How is the coding number composed?
Initials, the license plate of the place of residence, and address form an encrypted EIN code number, the Owner Identity Number.
Where can I have a bike coded?
The police or the ADFC offer bicycle coding. You can also buy a sticker coding from online providers.
Does engraving coding work on all bicycle frames?
Not all bicycle frames can be engraved. For a bicycle frame made of aluminum or steel, engraving is usually possible, unless it is a particularly lightweight bike with thin-walled tubes. For carbon bikes or titanium frames, a label with the code number is affixed.
Where is the coding applied?
So that the police and used bike buyers don't have to search for long, the coding is usually in the same place on all bicycles and e-bikes. It is applied to the right side of the seat tube in the direction of travel.
Does engraving damage or weaken the frame?
Millions of owners have already had their bicycles coded. The stability of the frame is generally not affected by the superficial engraving. But be careful, there are bicycle manufacturers who then no longer guarantee the durability of their frames, so you should inquire if in doubt. If you want to be on the safe side, you can have the bicycle coded with a sticker.
How much does it cost to have a bicycle coded?
The coding costs around 15 to 20 euros, depending on the provider.
Can a coding be removed from the bicycle again?
It is possible to remove the coding from the bicycle, but it involves some effort. Especially an engraving can be sanded out, but then it must be repainted and usually remains visible. Even the stickers are not easy to remove. They are not meant to be, because that makes coded bicycles particularly uninteresting for fences.
What happens if I move?
Since you register at your new place of residence after moving, the EIN number can be traced through the residents' registration office. If you move frequently, you can have your bicycle recoded from time to time as a precaution.
I had my bicycle coded. Can I resell it?
To ensure the new owner doesn't run into problems, you should complete a purchase contract. Sample contracts can be found and downloaded online. Then you should hand over the bicycle pass, purchase receipt, and all other papers of the bicycle. The bicycle can even be recoded with these documents, but it's not a must.
Can I only have bicycles coded?
Wouldn't it also be practical to have other valuables coded? It would be, and it's also possible. From strollers and trailers to computers and tools, to wheelbarrows, you can have mobile valuables coded.
More info on bicycle safety in the Bike Blog "Properly Locking Bicycles"
Title image © Kryptonite
