Your 2025 Bike Security Guide

New Year, Secure Gear

Hope your new year is off to a great start. When last we reached out, we let you know that we’d be ramping up on our outreach. Since then, while we made very good on our promise that we would not spam your inbox, we failed to do the main thing we promised: to reach out. But, it’s a new year, and with resolutions and all that, here we are! Reaching out to remind you that it’s a great time to make sure that your beloved rides are safe and sound.

“My local police department encourages people to register their bikes on 529. The police called me 2 days after my bike was stolen to notify me that they found my bike! Hurray!”

Ruth, Missoula, MT

Quick 529 Garage Housekeeping

Let’s start easy. Log into your 529 Garage account. This is just to make sure you are still using the same email you signed up with (and if not, contact us at support and we’ll get you straightened out).

Now, look at your registered bikes. Are they still the same? Did you sell something? Did you get a shiny new bike for the holidays? Now’s a great time to make sure that all your bikes are accounted for.

And while you are looking at your registrations… how are the photos on there? Maybe it’s time to refresh them? Clear, recent images make such a big difference if your bike is stolen. Also, don’t you want a cool photo of your bike that you can share on your socials? (I see you @lookatmybikeleaning)

Does your bike have a 529 Shield? Do you know what a 529 Shield is? Did you know that when we look at our reported theft and recovery rates, bikes with 529 Shields are stolen less often and recovered more often? Did you know that adding a 529 Shield to your bike is a great way to support our efforts in ending bike theft? Do you think I can say 529 Shield anymore in this paragraph (Yes. Yes I can.) Find out more 529 Shields and buy some on our shop.

How about installing our app? If you registered on the website, awesome. But the 529 Garage mobile app makes it even easier to register your bike with cool photos, to help out with other 529ers in your community if you see their missing bike, and get the good news when bikes are recovered in your area. You can get the (free!) 529 Garage app here for your Android or iOS device.

“The police called and said that someone had tried to sell my bike at a pawn shop. The pawn shop person looked up the bike id number, which I had registered and saw that it was stolen.”

Jennie, Boulder, CO

Lock It Like You Love It

Let's talk about showing your bike some real love with proper security:

• Think of it as a bike hug - wrap that lock through both the frame and a wheel

• Be picky about where you lock up - if it wiggles, it's not worth it. Choose solid, immovable objects as anchor points. No trees please.

• Put your cable lock to its proper use…only use it to lock your accessories, and invest in a high quality U-lock for your frame. Want more lock advice? See our article on bike locks.

• Indoor storage? Lock it anyway - 20% of bikes are stolen from garages and other "secure" locations.

“Police did a search warrant on an address and found lots of bikes. They used 529 Garage to look for bikes of the description of my bike and found me through that.”

John, Christchurch, NZ

The Insurance Talk (Stay With Us - It's Important!)

So, since joining forces with Two Three Bird, we have learned a ton about bike insurance. We’ve always been super focused on prevention and recovery (for our own bikes as well as yours), and figured we’d be covered by our home policy if we didn’t get our bike back. But then we took the time to read the fine print on our policy, and learned all sorts of things. It’s not exactly best seller reading, but it’s definitely worth it so you know you are covered in the worst case scenario.

So, take a look at what you’ve got and verify these critical points:

• Understand coverage limits and deductibles, esp for bicycles

• Consider how a claim might affect your premiums

• Check if accessories are included in coverage

• See if it’s covered when the bike is not at home

If you’re looking to level up your coverage with a bike specific policy, see if Sundays Insurance is available in your location. (Sundays isn’t available everywhere 529 Garage is, but they are working on it!)

“I received a call from the officer who has recovered a dozen bikes in the last month. He drove it to my house and delivered it to me in person! I'm stunned. He regularly checks 529 for local bikes. “

Jim, Kitchner, ON

The Power of Bike Trackers

More frequently we’ve been seeing trackers be a part of successful recoveries. Which makes sense, as getting your bike back is a lot easier when you can tell the police where it is.

Our partner Bikebac has an affordable option for bike tracking:

• Track your bike anywhere in the world with no subscription costs

• Easily hidden under your water bottle holder, or your seat

• 1+ Year Battery Life (Replaceable CR2032)

• IP67 Waterproof

• Apple Find My Compatible (Android Find My Device Coming Soon)

You can learn more, and grab a tracker for yourself here.

“We had a tracker on the bike which allowed us to help the police locate it. The police were able to get to the bike and confirm the registration, so they reclaimed it and returned it.”

Sarah, Winnipeg, MB

Your Bike Safety To-Do List

• Give your 529 Garage profile some TLC

• Level up your locking game

• Understand the details of your insurance policy

• Think about adding a tracker to your bike

• If your bike was stolen, make sure you file a police report! The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Remember, bike security isn't just about one solution - it's about creating layers of protection. By combining registration, proper locking, insurance, and tracking, you're giving yourself the best chance of keeping your bike where it belongs - with you.

Until next time, happy trails!

The 529 Team