New registry partnership shows 'very promising' results recovering stolen bikes, City of Winnipeg says

The City of Winnipeg says a new bike registry partnership has led to more stolen bikes getting recovered.

Last year, the city partnered with the app 529 Garage, a free online registry that spans the country.

The city launched the new registry system in April last year. By the end of December, more than 6,300 people had registered.

"The numbers are definitely indicating that we're trending in the right direction," Terry Cormier, the city's licensing co-ordinator, said Thursday.

Last year, 681 bikes were recovered, compared to 572 in 2023 — an increase of 19 per cent, the city says.

Of the bikes recovered last year, a total of 105 were returned to their owners. 

Cormier called the number of bikes recovered and returned "very promising," but added he would like to see more uptake from people registering their bikes.

Under the new system, users can register their bikes by downloading the 529 Garage app and uploading their bike details and contact information.

Owners can get an alert if their bike is stolen, and search a database to find out whether a bike they're considering buying is stolen.

Charles Feaver, the chair of the bike theft prevention committee with the advocacy group Bike Winnipeg, agreed the new registry has had a positive impact.

"Now, the trick is getting people to do the homework of registering their bikes, and that's going slowly," Feaver said.

He would also like to see the city invest in theft prevention, like secure bike parking downtown.

"So a place where if you're going downtown, you leave your bike there. You might pay a buck or two, but you know it'll be there when you come back. Rather like our bike valet at events," he said.

The city's annual auction for recovered but unclaimed bikes is underway now and runs until May 1.