Picture this: Late one evening, you find yourself tucked away in a cozy corner, bathed in the gentle glow of your laptop. You’re scrolling through page after page of used bikes on Facebook Marketplace. Suddenly, your heart skips a beat—a bike catches your eye. It’s the model you’ve always dreamed of, lightly used, and it’s even cheaper than you’d hoped!… Read more →
Bike Theft
529 Garage’s simple guide to the complex world of bike locks
You already know that having locking is critical for the safety of you bicycle. But, shopping for a lock is complicated – there are many different types of bike locks, they work in different ways, they protect different parts of our bike, and of course, there are multiple rating standards. So how do you work through the maze and figure… Read more →
529 Garage surpasses one million searchable bicycles worldwide
World’s largest bike database program spreading throughout North America, transforming the way police fight bike theft SEATTLE, WA, July 24, 2019 – 529 Garage has surpassed one million searchable bicycles worldwide, locking in its status as the world’s largest bike registration program. More than 1,400 law enforcement, city, university and bike shop partners have now signed on throughout North America,… Read more →
Bike Theft Victim Do’s and Don’ts
Bike Theft Victim Do’s and Don’ts We hope you never have to deal with having your bike stolen but if you do, here are some tips: DO… Report the crime to police either in person, online or via the non-emergency number, obtain a crime reference number and contact your insurer. Fire up the 529 Garage, find (or register) your bike… Read more →
Reflections on our 3 year pilot to reduce bike theft in Vancouver
3 years ago I visited Vancouver to kick off Bike to Work Week. We announced a 3 year pilot in cooperation with the Vancouver Police Department and Vancouver Police Foundation to address the region’s growing bike theft epidemic. Constable Rob Brunt, a veteran of the VPD was assigned the task to investigate what could be done and reached out to… Read more →
Vancouver recognized as world leader in fighting bike thefts
Bicycle thefts drop 30% in three years VANCOUVER, B.C. (Monday, Oct. 29, 2018) – A Vancouver pilot project focused on cutting bike crime is showing astonishing results and attracting worldwide attention. With local bicycle registrations surpassing 70,000, the joint initiative of the Vancouver Police Department, City of Vancouver and Project 529 has resulted in a 30-per-cent drop in bike theft.… Read more →
But my crap bike doesn’t deserve a U-lock!
Dear Annie, My girlfriend is constantly on my back because I’m using a cable lock on my bike and haven’t bothered to register it. The bike is a complete piece of junk that I paid $50 for at a garage sale. It gets me to class and around campus and that’s it. Why should I buy a lock more expensive… Read more →
The “other” QR – Quick Response Codes
Dear Annie, I don’t understand why there is a 7 character code on 529 Shields. Seems very 20th century. Why not join the 21st century and use QR codes to make the bike more easily scannable? Everyone has smartphones today! – Computers read a code kleaner CRACK, QR, or quick response codes have been around since the early 90’s. From a… Read more →
GPS – The bike theft silver bullet?
Dear Annie, I left my iPhone on the bus last winter and recovered it using the “Find my iPhone” feature from my computer. Seems that doing the same kind of thing for bikes would be the best possible solution to help recover a stolen bike. Why doesn’t 529 just add “Find my Bike” to their app and sell GPS trackers… Read more →
Are police doing enough about bike theft?
Dear Annie, I reported my bike stolen with 529 a few weeks ago. I got an e-mail in response from 529 telling me to file a police report. My police department only takes reports by phone and I gave up after being on hold for over 10 minutes. Why should we bother to report it to police when they obviously… Read more →