Bicycle Coding – Bicycle Registration... isn't that the same thing? Both serve the same purpose, which is to protect your bicycle from thieves. But having your bicycle coded is actually the first step, and 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 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 into the frame or affixed with a hard-to-remove label. The bicycle is not automatically entered into a database through coding.
Through coding, your bicycle or e-bike can be clearly assigned to you as the owner, even if you do not create a bicycle pass or register it.
How is your individual EIN number created?
The code consists of an EIN number, which stands for Owner Identity Number. It includes information such as the place of residence, street, and the owner's initials. This information is partially encrypted and therefore not immediately understandable to everyone.
When a stolen bicycle is recovered, police officers do not have to search through databases; the information can be easily and straightforwardly traced back through the residents' registration office. This works even 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, frame numbers on bicycles are NOT individually assigned. This means that there can be multiple bicycles from different manufacturers with the same frame number. Then it becomes difficult to clearly assign them to their owner.
Furthermore, 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. In the big city, it is therefore advisable to have every bicycle and e-bike coded, regardless of the price range. Image © Kryptonite
Code first, then register?
With coding, your bicycle receives an individual number. With this number, you can then have the bicycle registered. The registration is done with the police and/or online providers. Usually, you will 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 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 advantages of having my bicycle coded?
Coding your bicycle or e-bike has two main purposes:
- Coding deters thieves
Many bicycles are stolen because the thief wants to resell them. The clearly visible code makes it impossible to resell the bicycle without further documents (an official purchase receipt or contract), 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 goods or is legally offered by the rightful owner. Thieves know this and prefer to choose a bicycle that is without a number and therefore difficult to trace.
Bicycle coding primarily serves as a deterrent. For this reason, it is applied in a clearly visible place on the frame, and a sticker is used to further highlight it. Even if these stickers are not necessarily among the visual highlights of a bicycle, they can pay off in case of doubt.
- A coded bicycle can be assigned to the owner
The police can assign code numbers to the owner through the residents' registration office even without further registration. With a bit of luck, this can happen quite quickly, and you will have your bicycle back in no time.
You can also prove at any time with the number that the bike really belongs to you. Even if you want to resell it, this is advantageous. Purchase receipt, bicycle pass, and the code number clearly prove who owns a bicycle. 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. If you are attached to your bike, you should still have it coded, because better safe than sorry! Image © Adam Dubec on pexels
Have bicycles 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 has to be attached to the bike, you should of course have the bike with you.
Do I have to have the EIN coding of the bike entered into a database?
The EIN number can be easily traced via 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! They also have a higher purchase price, which means 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 which 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 affixed.
Engraving or sticker – which is safer?
The stickers with the bike coding are hard to remove, but engraving is considered the safer option. Here, the code must be ground off, and then the bike's paint must be repaired – far 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, 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. Engraving is generally possible on aluminum or steel bicycle frames, unless it is a particularly lightweight bike with thin-walled tubes. For carbon bicycles 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 applied in the same place on all bicycles and e-bikes. It is applied on the right side of the seat tube in the direction of travel.
Is the frame damaged or made unstable by the engraving?
Millions of owners have already had their bicycles coded. The stability of the frame is generally not affected by the superficial engraving. However, be careful, as there are bicycle manufacturers who no longer guarantee the durability of their frames, so you should inquire in case of 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 about 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 ground out, but then it must be repainted, and it usually remains visible. Even the stickers are not easy to remove. They are not supposed to be, as this makes coded bicycles particularly uninteresting for fences.
What happens if I move?
Since you register at the new place of residence after moving, the EIN number can be tracked through the residents' registration office. If you move frequently, you can have your bicycle recoded from time to time for safety.
I have had my bicycle coded. Can I resell it?
To ensure that the new owner does not encounter any trouble, you should conclude 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 is not a must.
Can I only have bicycles coded?
Wouldn't it also be practical to have other valuables coded? It would be, and that is also possible. From strollers and trailers to computers and tools to wheelbarrows, you can have mobile valuables coded.
Title image © Kryptonite
