You can register your bicycle and any e-bike, create a bicycle pass, or have it recorded in the police database. But why should you do that? It's quite simple: Many, many bicycles are stolen. Expensive bikes, cheap bikes, old and new ones – it doesn't matter. Especially in larger cities, but also in the countryside. More likely in northern Germany than in the south. If you register your bike, you can supposedly make life harder for bike thieves. But what does it mean to “register” a bike and what does registration bring you?
Why are bicycles stolen at all?
What a shock! The expensive bike is gone! Unfortunately, this happens to many cyclists every day! If bicycles weren't stolen, we could save ourselves this article. But unfortunately, more than 300,000 bikes (+ unreported cases!) change owners involuntarily every year in Germany. There are three reasons that tempt thieves to tamper with other people's bikes:
Case 1: They need to get from A to B and prefer to do it on any bike rather than on foot.
Case 2: They want to ride the bike themselves.
Case 3: They want to sell the bike – this is the most common reason why high-quality bikes are stolen.
Do you get your bike back if it is registered?
Bicycle registration is especially helpful in Case 3 . If a bike's frame number is registered with the police, it can be easily determined that it was yours if it reappears in used markets or is sold elsewhere. Also in Case 1 , you might get lucky. These bikes are often just left somewhere. Registration helps here too, because if the bike is picked up, you will be notified and can prove that it belongs to you. Case 2 is unfortunately really hard to track in big cities if the thief is a bit cautious. But even here, authorities can contact you if they take the bike into custody.
What does registering a bike do for you?
The clearance rate for bicycle thefts is unfortunately not impressive, but if your bike is registered, it serves several purposes:
- If there is a note on your bike about the registration, it can deter thieves in advance, because they know they can only resell the bike at high risk.
- The police can unequivocally assign a recovered bike to you as the owner.
- You can prove that the bike is legally in your possession .
A good bike lock is only half the battle! Additionally, you should create a bicycle pass and register your bike with the police! Image © Kryptonite
How is a bicycle registered?
Registering your bicycle is quite simple. You just inform an official body that a particular bicycle or e-bike belongs to you.
First, you create a bicycle pass , and through this bicycle pass, you can then have the bike registered with the police and other providers.
A bicycle coding works a bit differently. Here, the bicycle receives an individual number. Since there is a lot of important information about this, you can find a detailed article on bicycle coding in our bike blog.
Where can you register a bicycle or e-bike?
There are different places where you can register your bicycle or e-bike.
- Bicycle registration via bicycle pass
- Bicycle registration in the database of various providers
- Bicycle registration with the police
- Bicycle registration with the manufacturer
Bicycle registration via bicycle pass
There are various providers through which you can create a bicycle pass, fahrradpass.info is one of them. You can create and manage the bicycle pass completely online or fill out a paper version as well.
In a bicycle pass, characteristics are recorded that allow a bicycle or e-bike to be clearly identified and assigned to the owner. Brand, model, frame type and of course the frame number or coding number are noted here. In online versions and in bicycle pass apps, you can also store pictures of the bicycle.
The apps offer the option to download and print the bicycle pass if you would like to archive it as a paper version with your documents.
Depending on the provider, not only is the bicycle pass created, but your bicycle can also be registered in the provider's database. Often there are additional functions here, for example, you can search by frame numbers to trace the life and ownership changes of used bikes.
Occasionally, a sticker is included with the registration. It then says “Stealing is not worth it, bicycle is registered!” or something similar. It doesn't always fit into the design of the bike, nor does it replace the bike lock, but it can deter a not-so-hardened thief.
This is how you can register your bike with the police
You can register your bike or e-bike online or via an app with the police. Some stations also offer this service on-site, but you should inquire beforehand about when and where the police register bikes. It is particularly straightforward to register the bike with the police if you have previously created a bike pass that already contains all the data.
You need the following documents to register your bike with the police:
- the bike pass
- clear proof of ownership (e.g., the purchase receipt)
- your ID
- If your bike is already coded, you will also need the coding number
The bike is then entered into the database and can be quickly and easily assigned to you as the owner if it is secured by the police.
Registering a new bike or e-bike with the manufacturer
You can also register a newly purchased bike with the manufacturer (often referred to as “registration,” international manufacturers offer a “Bike Registration” in English).
If you order a new bike, it is definitely advisable to visit the manufacturer's homepage and register the bike there using the frame number. The service you can then use depends on the manufacturer's terms and conditions. Some manufacturers offer an extended warranty on parts or frames if the bike is registered with them. Other manufacturers provide you with bike data (model, paint, equipment). You can access them if the bike is stolen.
Registering a bike – FAQs
What do you need to register your bike?
The most important “evidence” when registering a bike is the frame number. Most branded bikes today have a serial number engraved. You should also keep the purchase receipt . You must provide your personal data , such as name, address, and so on.
For safety, you should also store meaningful photos of the bike. If you register the bike online or via an app, you can simply upload the pictures; otherwise, you can file them.
Can I sell a registered bike again?
Your bike is registered, and now you want to sell it? In this case, you can prevent the new owner from getting into trouble with a purchase contract . There are sample contracts that you can download and fill out online. With such a purchase contract, the buyer can also re-register or recode the bike.
Can I register a bike that does not have a frame number?
If your bicycle does not have a frame number, you should definitely have it coded. Through the individual coding it can be clearly assigned, then it can also be registered.
What does it cost to register a bicycle?
Unlike coding, registering a bicycle or e-bike is usually free of charge.
Does a bicycle or e-bike need to be registered for insurance?
There are different ways to insure a good bicycle. You can take out bicycle insurance, or bicycles and e-bikes are covered by household insurance. In this case, a bicycle pass is very practical if you want to replace a stolen bicycle, but it is usually not mandatory. However, you must be able to prove that the bicycle belongs to you and what it cost. Therefore, you should keep the purchase receipt safe. You should read the terms and conditions of the insurer here.
What else can you do besides registration to protect your bicycle from thieves?
Bicycle lock, GPS tracker or bicycle alarm, there are many different ways to protect your bicycle from thieves. It is worth checking back here on the bike blog as we are working on more articles on this topic.
❗Additional Security for Bicycle Registration ❗
Bicycle Locks | GPS Tracker & Mounts
Also on the Bike Blog: Locking your bike correctly
Title image © Kryptonite
