Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin

Bicycle Commuting Guide

Register Your Bike

Cutting Your Theft Losses

Find serial numbers:

on the head tube
on seat post tube
under the crank
on the frame's rear wheel mount

What's the first thing to do when you get a new bike? Write down the serial number and register your bike with the city you live in. Look for the serial number stamped on your bike's frame. City police recover lots of bikes each year, but can't return most because they're not registered and the owner cannot be identified and contacted.

Identifying Marks: You can discourage thieves by engraving your name or social security number in an obvious place on your bike frame. Or put a card with your name and phone number inside the handlebar tube-so if you find your stolen bike at an auction, junk shop, or flea market, you can prove it's yours.

Is your bike worth $8.00? Register it!

- Greatly increases the chance that your bike will be recovered and returned if stolen.
- Thieves may be less likely to steal a registered bike in the first place.
- Helps identify the bicycle owner in case of an accident.
- Helps the city you live in plan for bicyclists.
- Registration is required by the City of Madison!

For more information,
in Madison: (608) 266-4474
in Milwaukee: call your local police precinct

If Your Bike Is Stolen: First, find your bike's serial number if you have it. If your bike is registered, you can call your city or the police to get your bike's serial and registration numbers. Then call the police in the jurisdiction where the bicycle was stolen and tell them where your bike was stolen. Try to get a police report number that you can use for an insurance claim. Also find out how police will contact you if they find your bike.

Looking for Your Bike: Sometimes you can find your bicycle at places like pawn shops, auctions, or resale shops that might deal in stolen merchandise. But if you find your stolen bike among other property that someone's selling, remember that they won't just give it to you; you must prove it's yours. Re-contact the police and tell them you found your bicycle and let them recover it for you.

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Home: www.bfw.org
The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin
a member-supported, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

Mailing Addresses and Phones:
Madison: Box 1224, 53701 (608) 251-4456
Milwaukee: 1845 N Farwell Ave Ste 100, 53202 (414) 271-9685