All answers about bicycle coding

Bike coding – bike registration … isn’t that the same thing? Both serve the same purpose: to protect your bike from thieves. But having your bike coded is actually the first step, and registration is the second! Here you’ll learn where, how and why you should have your bike coded.

You’ve bought a new bike, and even though you were only out for a moment at the baker’s, it’s gone. Stolen. How annoying! This happens every year to many cyclists in Germany. Bike coding and bike registration can’t directly prevent theft, but they can definitely help your bike find its way back to you. Here you’ll find answers to the 21 most important questions about bike coding.

What is bike coding & what does it do?

If you have your bike or E-Bike coded, it receives a unique EIN number. This number is engraved into the frame or applied as a label that’s difficult to remove. Coding doesn’t automatically add the bike to a database.

Through coding, your bike or E-Bike can be assigned unambiguously to you as the owner, even if you don’t create a bike passport or register it.

How is your individual EIN number created?

The code consists of an EIN number; that’s short for Owner Identity Number. It contains information such as place of residence, street and the owner’s initials. Some of this information is encrypted, so it isn’t immediately understandable to everyone.

If a stolen bike is recovered, police officers don’t have to search through databases; the information can be traced back easily and straightforwardly via the local residents’ registration office. This works even if the owner has moved.

Should you have a bike coded even if it has a frame number?

Many bikes have a frame number. Many … but not all. And unlike the ISBN for books or vehicle identification numbers for cars, frame numbers on bikes are NOT assigned individually . That means there can be multiple bikes from different manufacturers with the same frame number. Then it becomes difficult to assign them unambiguously to their owner.

In addition, frame numbers aren’t registered centrally, so a bike can’t be automatically assigned based on the frame number.

That’s why it’s definitely sensible to have a bike coded even if it has a frame number! If it doesn’t have a frame number , coding is especially important!

The bigger the city, the more bike thieves are out there. In a big city, it makes sense to have every bike and __LSP4 coded regardless of price category. Image © Kryptonite

Code first, then register?

Coding gives your bike an individual number. With this number, you can then have the bike registered. The registration is done with the police and/or with online providers. In most cases, you then get a bike passport in digital form or on paper. You can archive it together with the proof of purchase and photos of the bike.

If your stolen bike is recovered, you can use this to prove that it belongs to you. If it doesn’t turn up again, the proof helps you make claims with your insurance.

> You can find all information about registering a bike in the article “Why and where should you register a bike or E-Bike?”

What are the benefits of having my bike coded?

Coding your bike or e-bike has mainly two backgrounds:

• Coding deters thieves

Many bikes are stolen because the thief wants to resell them. The clearly visible code makes it impossible to resell the bike without additional documents (an official proof of purchase or sales contract); at least the resale value drops massively. If a bike with a code number appears on a flea market or in an online used-bike marketplace, potential buyers can quickly and easily check whether a used bike is stolen goods or being offered legally by the rightful owner. Thieves know this and therefore prefer to choose a bike without a number, making it harder to assign.

So bike coding is mainly about dissuasion. For this reason, it’s done in a clearly visible spot on the frame, and a sticker is added to make it even more obvious. Even if these stickers aren’t necessarily the visual highlights of a bike, they can still pay off in the end.

• A coded bike can be assigned to the owners

The police can assign code numbers to the owner via the residents’ registration office even without further registration. With a bit of luck, that happens quickly and you have your bike back in no time.

You can also use the number at any time to prove that the bike really is yours. That’s also an advantage if you want to sell it later. Proof of purchase, bike passport and the code number clearly show who a bike belongs to. That way, second owners can also be sure they’re not riding stolen bikes.

This bike is probably less at risk, because fewer bikes are stolen in rural areas. If you’re attached to your bike, you should still have it coded, because safe is safe! Image © Adam Dubec on pexels

Have bikes and e-bikes coded – quick FAQs

What do I need to have my bike coded?

• You need proof of identity, i.e. a passport or ID card.
• To prove that the bike belongs to you, you need a sales contract or proof of purchase .
• If the bike already has a frame number , you should also know it.
• Because the number has to be applied to the bike, you should of course have the bike with you .

Do I have to enter the bike’s EIN coding into a database?

The EIN number can be traced back easily via the residents’ registration office; you don’t have to report it anywhere. If your bike is registered , it’s added to the provider’s database.

Should I also have a __LSP6 coded?

Definitely! E-bikes are particularly popular right now – unfortunately also as stolen goods! They also have a higher purchase price, meaning coding and registration here can prevent greater damage.

Can/must I have a leased bike or __LSP7 coded?

The leased bike is owned by the leasing company; for a company bike, it’s usually the employer. In this case, you should ask the leasing provider that organises the bike leasing whether you can have the bike coded and whether you need a power of attorney for it.

How is the bike coded?

First, a unique EIN number is created, which is engraved into the frame or transferred to an adhesive film or label and then applied.

Engraving or sticker – which is safer?

Stickers with bike coding are hard to remove, but engraving is considered the safer option. Here the code has to be ground off; afterwards the bike’s paint has to be repaired – far too much effort for a thief who wants to earn a few euros quickly by selling a stolen bike.

How is the coding number made up?

Initials, the owner’s car registration plate and address make up an encrypted EIN code number, the Owner Identity Number.

Where can I have a bike coded?

The police or the ADFC offer bike coding. You can also buy a sticker coding from online providers.

Does engraving coding work on all bike frames?

Not all bike frames can be engraved. For aluminium or steel frames, engraving is usually possible, unless it’s a particularly lightweight bike with thin-walled tubes. For carbon bikes or titanium frames, a label with the code number is applied.

Where is the coding applied?

So that the police and used-bike buyers don’t have to search for long, coding is usually applied in the same spot on all bikes and e-bikes. It’s placed on the right side in the direction of travel on the seat tube.

Will the frame be damaged or become unstable due to engraving?

Millions of owners have already had their bikes coded. As far as experience goes, the frame’s stability isn’t affected by the superficial engraving. But beware: there are bike manufacturers who then no longer guarantee the durability of their frames; in case of doubt, you should ask. If you want to be on the safe side, you can have the bike coded with a sticker.

How much does it cost to have a bike coded?

Coding costs about 15 to 20 euros depending on the provider.

Can coding also be removed from the bike again?

Removing coding from the bike is possible, but it takes some effort. Engraving can be sanded down, but then it has to be repainted and it usually remains visible anyway. Even the stickers aren’t easy to remove. They shouldn’t be, because that makes coded bikes particularly unattractive to fencing.

What happens if I move?

Since you report your move to the new place of residence, the EIN number can be traced via the residents’ registration office. If you move frequently, you can have your bike coded again from time to time for safety.

I had my bike coded. Can I sell it again?

To ensure the new owner doesn’t get into trouble, you should sign a sales contract. You can find and download template contracts online. Then you should hand over the bike passport, proof of purchase and all other documents for the bike. With these proofs, the bike can even be coded again, but that’s not mandatory.

Can I only have bikes coded?

Wouldn’t it also be practical to have other valuable items coded? It would, and it’s also possible. From prams and trailers to computers and tools, you can have mobile valuables coded.

 

More info about bike security in the Bike Blog

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Cover image © Kryptonite