Bike Registry

Participating Bicycle Shops in Halton

Burlington:

Rolling Horse Cycle
Unit 2 - 650 Plains Road East

Rock and Road Cycle
2501 Guelph Line

Trek Bicycle
560 Plains Road East

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I report a bike theft?
In the unfortunate event that your bicycle is stolen, the first thing you should do is report the theft to the local police service in the jurisdiction in which it occurred. Once you have reported the theft to police, you can report it through the 529 Garage app which will send an alert to other cyclists in your vicinity notifying them of the theft.

How is my information shared?
Only police personnel will have access to the full database.  If you have to issue an alert about a stolen bicycle, you can choose what contact information to release.

How do I get a 529 Garage Shield decal?
The Shield Decals can be obtained through the 529 Garage app.

Where do I find my bicycle's serial number?
Serial numbers are usually stamped onto the bicycle's frame, either a) under or on top of the crank, b) around the headset, c) on the rear stay tube, or d) down the back of the seat tube near the crank. Be sure to take a photo of your serial number.

Do I have to file a police report if my bicycle is stolen?

Yes. In order for us to release the bicycle to you, we must verify that you are the rightful owner. By filing a police report, you are providing us with a record for accountability. Reporting is easy and can be done using our Report a Crime tool.

Someone found my bicycle, can I go get it?
No, never attempt to recover a stolen item without first contacting police.

If my bicycle is registered, how do I sell it?
If you are selling your bicycle, you can forward your bicycle's registration and non-identifying photos to the new owner through the 529 Garage app.

How does the cycling community help?
Any cyclist within a 15km radius who has the 529 Garage app on their smartphone or tablet will receive an alert notifying them of the missing bicycle. If anyone spots your bicycle, they can then notify police and send you notifications.

Tips to Secure your Bicycle

1. Never rely on a cable lock as your primary security device. Cable locks can be easily defeated with inexpensive tools in minutes. More than 40 per cent of outdoor bicycle theft is a result of defeated cable locks.

2. Always use a designated bicycle rack. Street signs, parking metres, and fences are more easily defeated than dedicated bicycle racks. Thieves, for instance, can simply remove a sign using a tool and slip a double-locked bicycle over the top of the pole.

3. Secure your helmet and accessories. Thieves like to travel safely (and helmets help them blend in). They will also use accessories to increase a bicycle's resale value. 

4. Always lock your bicycle whenever and wherever you leave it unattended. Bicycles frequently (i.e. more than 50% of the time) disappear from car racks, home garages, parking garages, and storage units frequently (nearly half of urban thefts). By locking a wheel to the frame, you force the thief to break the lock before they can ride it.

5. Don't park your bicycle perpendicular to the rack. Staple racks are designed for the rider to park parallel to the rack and are placed to minimize interference with foot or vehicle traffic. They also help prevent your bicycle from falling over.

6. Don't give potential thieves leverage. Always lock your wheel and frame together to the bicycle rack. Locking only your top tube might save time, but can give a bicycle thief leverage to break the u-lock with a violent twisting motion. Even if unsuccessful, your bicycle may get seriously damaged.

7. Always buy bicycles from reputable sellers. If buying a used bicycle from an individual, ask to meet them in a public place. Verify their phone number (by calling them) and their name (by checking ID). If the individual is reselling multiple bicycles, request to see their second-hand reseller permit. Flip the bicycle and run the serial number on 529 Garage. If the seller is not comfortable, you shouldn't be either.

8. Always lock your bicycle to a solid rack. This may seem obvious, but police frequently reports from people who have locked their bicycles to wooden handrails, chain-linked fences or other easily defeated objects. Make sure that the object you are locking your bicycle to is as challenging to defeat as your lock.

9. Always lock the wheel and frame. By locking the wheel and frame together, you disable the bike from being ridden until the lock is defeated. It also makes it more challenging for a thief to defeat the lock. In the event that they overcome the object you have locked your bicycle to, they will need to carry it away.

10. Add a 529 Shield decal to your bicycle. Doing so discourages theft by letting would-be thieves know that the community and police will be alerted if it goes missing. It also helps members of law enforcement easily identify your bicycle and return it more easily if/when it is recovered.

11. Always report bicycle thefts (and prowls) to police. If you don't report it, the police don't know it happened, nor can they prioritize enforcement efforts accordingly. A police report is also necessary for insurance claims or to claim your bicycle from police if/when it is recovered. Reports can be made by contacting the HRPS at 905-825-4777.

12. Use a u-lock. A good quality u-lock requires more time and more expensive tools to attack than weaker locks. Aim for a minimum shackle diameter of 12mm and make sure both sides of the shackle lock.

13. Always park in dedicated bicycle racks. Bicycle racks are designed to be secure and placed deliberately in communities to serve the needs of all. Locking illegally can be less secure and increases the risk of your bicycle getting impounded by the city or property owner.

14. Always make sure your lock secures your frame. Always take the time to slow down when locking your bicycle to ensure that you have secured it properly/completely.