How do you prevent theft of your bicycle?

 

Register and label your bicycle. A labeled bicycle is less attractive to thieves because it is more difficult to sell. An inspection can immediately determine who owns the bicycle.

Secure your bicycle with two locks of excellent quality.

Always attach your bicycle to a fixed point (in the bicycle parking, on street furniture).

How long is a bicycle stored?

 

A found bicycle is kept by the involved municipalities or police zones for a period of 3 months. If the rightful owner does not report during that period, the municipality will automatically become the owner of the bicycle and they can proceed to a periodic public sale or donate the bicycles to a social purpose.

Retention Legislation:

Law of 8 May 2013 amending Article 2 of the Law of 30 December 1975 on goods found outside private property or placed on public roads in order to execute judgments regarding the storage of bicycles, BS 3 June 2013.

Overview of legal texts: : http://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/change_lg.pl?language=nl&la=N&cn=1975123031&table_name=wet

Why label rather than engrave?

Engraving has these disadvantages:

• engraving cannot be read digitally;

• the engraving cannot be passed on to the new owner;

• A Belgian national register number is not recognized abroad;

• Only metal bicycles can be engraved (not possible with carbon);

• No use of the National Register number without permission of the FPS Home Affairs;

• the bike loses the warranty for the manufacturer due to the engraving.

In addition, engraving can also be removed using the correct filler and paint.

A frame number on a bicycle can also be falsified. In addition, there is a problem that the frame numbers are not always placed in the same place

Why register your bicycle?

Registration is simple and free and offers many benefits.

• Each bicycle is unique. Registration makes it possible to store all data of the bicycle (brand, type, color, frame number, photo bicycle, copy invoice, copy certificate of conformity, ...) digitally on the internet, protected by a password.

In the event of theft, the data of the bicycle can be distributed by the owner or user to anyone who has access to the internet. This means that anyone who finds, offers for sale or wants to buy a bicycle can check on the website www.bikebank.be whether the bicycle has been stolen or not.

Is the label sustainable?

 

The labels are made of a hard plastic. A protection has been applied with a coating that is twice as strong as concrete.

 

How do you put the label on the bike?

Preparation:

• make the frame dust-free at the stem where there is a place available;

• insert the template: the template is a non-permanent adhesive strip with an opening the size of the label;

• clean the place thoroughly: first with the supplied sponge, then with the alcohol swab;

• release the strip at the bottom of the label and place the label in the free place in the mold;

• mix the supplied coating in a mixing bowl, stir them thoroughly and apply the coating to the label;

 

• apply the supplied piece of gauze to the label and allow it to become transparant;

• remove any suckers from the coating and remove the mold;

 

• leave to dry for 24 hours at a temperature of 18 ° (better: at room temperature?)

• apply the second label in the same way at the bottom of the bicycle.

 

Can the label be removed?

There is no guarantee of total irremovability. Anyone with relatively heavy equipment can remove a label, but the frame will show traces.

Because the labels are always applied in the same place, damage, (spraying) or a sticker on those places is an indication that the bicycle is of suspicious origin. A bona fide buyer is put off by the possible suspicious origin of the bicycle. In addition to the label, the thief must also adjust or remove the frame and any engraving number from the bicycle. This also leaves visible damage. This suspicious fact complicates the sale of the bicycle, which reduces the value of the labeled bicycle for thief and healer.