Security marking

[totem]

Hi all,

I am looking to put on some security markings (Bikeregister) on my Genesis Equilibrium steel bike. Which of their markings is better and where are the best locations to place it given the frame I have?

Thanks!

 

[vickster]

I get the police to do mine. Contact your local police team on 101 and ask for the bike safety team. I was told they'll come to your home if no sessions planned

https://www.bikeregister.com/events

They mark under the frame and you can put the sticker wherever you want

 

[totem]

Thanks for the info. I have an event coming up locally in a few days, should have mentioned that earlier. Any extra info is always welcome, thanks again.

 

[vickster]

Thanks for the info. I have an event coming up locally in a few days, should have mentioned that earlier. Any extra info is always welcome, thanks again.

What else do you need to know?

 

[arch684]

I was stopped by the police awhile ago to give me a security marker pen and stickers.I knew it was'nt for speeding

 

[vickster]

Sutton have dates until mid Sept, dk if they ever offer in the winter

https://www.sutton.gov.uk/info/200583/sustainable_travel/1532/bike_maintenance

 

[mjr]

Your bike probably already has a frame number. Record it and take photos, especially of any distinctive parts, such that you can file a good police report and get it listed on sites like Stolen Bikes if it gets taken.

If that's not enough, then I'd go for one of the microdot or smartwater kits, but I wouldn't bother with the basic numbering systems from any of the private companies. IMO the main question with those companies is which one will be the next "Burglar's Shopping List" when they try to boost their profits but cutting their costs below the minimum needed to maintain security.

 

[Noru]

I've used Bike Register on all my bikes using the permanent marker kit.

You need your frame number, bicycle make and model. Buy the kit on the website and they post you a unique kit to mark your bike. You can also upload a photo & description too.

The permanent kit marks your bike with a unique number and the bike register web address. If you're careful you can use it again to mark other parts of your bike too.

I don't see the point of the extra UV kit. It will only work if the police recover it or parts of your bike end up in a crime scene, sadly I've never seen anyone with UV torch when buying second hand parts.

I doubt many people will run a serial number of a second hand bike they're thinking purchasing through websites like Stolen Bikes, it would be nice if they did but I'm skeptical that the general population would.

I feel people are more likely to check Bike Register as its obviously marked & stickered than they are to check a frame number on an unmarked bike.

The Bike Register sticker serves as a deterrent to opportunists.

I've sure someone mentioned on here buying the unique kits in a shop, marking their bike but not finishing registering it on the Bike Register website unless it it's stolen as they fear hackers getting the address of their desirable bike from the database.
But none of my bikes are nice enough to make it into any shopping list for hi-tec thieves.

It also gives peace of mind to potential buyers when you're selling one too. All you need to do it's enter their email address when you sell the bike and they can update the bikes owners details themselves with the new details.

I have heard of someone selling a micro-dot marked bike, then years later having it returned by the police because it was recovered but the new owner didn't update the micro-dot details and the current owner was untraceable, but don't know if it's true or whether you would be allowed to keep the bike in that situation.

 

[Milkfloat]

I will probably get flamed for this, but I don't see why the Police should be spending resources marking bikes or handing out free locks and high viz. I would prefer those meagre resources be spent on investigating crime. The pot is rightly or wrongly finite and shrinking and I believe that people should take some responsibility for their own goods.

 

[srw]

I will probably get flamed for this, but I don't see why the Police should be spending resources marking bikes or handing out free locks and high viz. I would prefer those meagre resources be spent on investigating crime. The pot is rightly or wrongly finite and shrinking and I believe that people should take some responsibility for their own goods.

Because bike theft is crime, and prevention is way better - cheaper, more efficient, better for society - than letting crimes happen.

But I wouldn't expect an incompetent, nasty government to recognise that.

 

[Milkfloat]

Because bike theft is crime, and prevention is way better - cheaper, more efficient, better for society - than letting crimes happen.

I agree, but why should the already stretched police budget pay for the prevention? I think the onus should be more on the owner to provide basic crime prevention.

 

[srw]

I agree, but why should the already stretched police budget pay for the prevention? I think the onus should be more on the owner to provide basic crime prevention.

More prevention - less crime - less stretched police budgets.

And it's cheaper for the cops to buy a large batch of paint/stickers than for lots of individuals to buy small batches and waste a lot.

Basic economics, innit?

 

[Noru]

I will probably get flamed for this, but I don't see why the Police should be spending resources marking bikes or handing out free locks and high viz. I would prefer those meagre resources be spent on investigating crime. The pot is rightly or wrongly finite and shrinking and I believe that people should take some responsibility for their own goods.

I have to agree Milkfloat.

I reckon those struggling financially should be given it for free if but those who can afford should pay for themselves rather than using precious police budget. Which is what the RSPCA do round here with their pet micro-chipping service.

 

[Milkfloat]

More prevention - less crime - less stretched police budgets.

And it's cheaper for the cops to buy a large batch of paint/stickers than for lots of individuals to buy small batches and waste a lot.

Basic economics, innit?

That assumes that the police actually investigate bicycle theft Personally I would prefer that the expensively trained officer was catching bad motorists investigating other crimes, let the bike shops tag bikes and sell locks, that is even more economical.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

That assumes that the police actually investigate bicycle theft Personally I would prefer that the expensively trained officer was catching bad motorists investigating other crimes, let the bike shops tag bikes and sell locks, that is even more economical.

I agree with you, bike theft is almost never investigated, so to claim that spending police money on "prevention" saves investigative cost is plainly false. One of my bikes was done on Bikeregister through the Trek dealer at my own cost - I'd assessed that as my commuter / town bike it was at a high risk of theft so I paid for the extra deterrent. That's the way it should be.