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Thousands of recovered bikes are languishing in the police stations of London, with the authorities unable to reunite them with their owners, according to the latest PR from TfL.
London’s new Cycle Task Force is calling on the capital’s cyclists to security mark their bikes. Stolen, unclaimed bikes – including brands like Trek, Scott and Specialized – are destroyed, sold in auction or donated to charity.
Celebrity cyclists and CTC president Jon Snow joined the calls for cyclists to take action.
The broadcaster said: “I feel an idiot not to have security marked my bike before. Having lost two seriously good bikes in a year, I shall most definitely be security marking my next bike, hoping against hope that my most recent bike loss is my last."
Sergeant Titus Halliwell from the Cycle Task Force explained: “When we recover a stolen bike we run its details past a number of databases in the hope that we will have a match with its owner. However if the owner hasn’t registered their bike frame number or security mark, which is unique to every bike, it is virtually impossible for us to reunite people with their bikes.
“It’s really sad to see thousands of great, and well-loved bikes laying unused in the Capital’s police stations. London’s cyclists can help us by taking a few minutes to note down their frame number, and by coming along to one of our free bike marking events where we can also register their bike for them. These simple steps will help us maximise our chances of getting them their bikes back if they get stolen.”
Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor of London’s Transport Advisor, added: “A few simple steps can significantly increase the odds of getting your bike back, so take a couple of minutes of your time and get it marked.
“Only recently the Cycle Task Force marked my bike and it took less than five minutes. I’d encourage cyclists to take the time to go down to one of their events, and meet the officers, who will not only mark your bike but provide you with some sound advice.”
The Task Force and TfL have issued the following guidance for cyclists:
• Keep a record of your bike frame number and provide it to the police if your bicycle goes missing;
• Attend a free police bike marking session or buy a security marking kit to ensure your bike has its own unique number;
• Register your bicycle on a recognised database so that police can use it to reunite stolen goods with their legitimate owners.
• Keep a record of your bike frame number and provide it to the police if your bicycle goes missing;
• Attend a free police bike marking session or buy a security marking kit to ensure your bike has its own unique number;
• Register your bicycle on a recognised database so that police can use it to reunite stolen goods with their legitimate owners.
