In the time it takes you to read this article, someone’s bicycle will be stolen.

A bicycle is stolen every 7 seconds in the U.S., and while thousands of bicycles are recovered by law enforcement each year, very few are returned.  The reason is that often there is no way to identify the bicycle’s owner.

While many types of property thefts have declined in recent years, bicycle theft is on the rise, according to FBI statistics. The increasing popularity of bicycling as a sport and a means of transportation has made bicycles an easy target for thieves. It is estimated that over 1.5 million bicycles are stolen every year. Nowhere is bicycle theft a bigger problem than on school and college campuses.

The Prescott Police Department Crime Prevention Team, in conjunction with the “National Bike Registry,” is working together using the only nationwide bicycle registration service to return bicycles to their owners.  In fact, NBR registered bicycles are nine times more likely to be returned to their owners if recovered by law enforcement.

To register your bicycle, you can ask your local bike dealer, go online, or stop by the Prescott Police Department for an application.

We believe that increased bicycle registrations coupled with an effective national database will reduce the loss from bicycle theft. With the National Bike Registry we can provide an easy-to-use system for registering bicycles and identifying owners.  But as always, be diligent in your effort to deter theft and lock up your bicycle.

For further information on this program, contact the Prescott Police Department Crime Prevention Team at (928)777-1967.

Website: NationalBikeRegistry.com

Cost: $10 will cover a bike for 10 years.
$25 will cover a bike for 30 years. (When you replace your current bike, contact NBR for a new label and certificate, limit one bike at a time.)
$25 Family Registration will cover up to 5 bikes at a single address. Each bike is registered for 10 years.
99¢ Stolen Bike Registry: You can register a bike AFTER it has been stolen. In the event that one of our participating law enforcement agencies finds it, it can be returned! (This registration is for one bike, for six months, and does not include a decal or certificate).