10 Seconds to Make Your Bike Traceable

Posted:

February 21st, 2025

In 1796, Patrick Colquhoun wrote, “Deprive a thief of a safe and ready market for his goods, and he is undone.” Over 200 years later, bike theft is still rampant, with thousands of bikes stolen every year.

But there’s one quick and simple step you can take right now to increase your chances of recovering your bike if it’s ever stolen. The best part? It takes just 10 seconds.

The 10-Second Trick: Record Your Bike’s Frame Number
Your bike’s frame number is like a fingerprint—unique (or as close as it gets) to your bike. It’s typically stamped under the bottom bracket by the manufacturer. Despite this, most cyclists never record it, and once a bike is stolen, proving ownership becomes almost impossible.

In a survey of 600 cyclists:

62% admitted they simply hadn’t gotten around to recording it.
Many didn’t think it would make a difference.
Some weren’t even aware their bike had a frame number.
Don’t make that mistake. Taking 10 seconds to record your frame number now can make all the difference if your bike is ever stolen.

Why Your Bike’s Frame Number Matters
Every year, police recover thousands of stolen bikes—but most are never returned to their rightful owners because there’s no way to prove ownership.

While you might recognize your bike by its color or modifications, law enforcement and stolen bike databases rely on frame numbers to match bikes to their owners. Without it, your bike could end up in a police auction—or back in the hands of thieves.

How to Record Your Frame Number in Seconds

1. The Fastest Way (10 Seconds)
   📸 Take a clear photo of your frame number.
   ✉️ Email it to yourself or store it in a secure place.

If your bike is ever stolen, you’ll have everything you need to report it instantly on StolenHQ.

2. Register It for Extra Security
   For added protection, you can register your frame number with a stolen bike database and local police property registers. Some police forces also offer bike marking events, where they:
   ✔️ Record your bike’s details in a national database.
   ✔️ Apply a tamper-proof sticker to deter thieves.

Forces like the Metropolitan Police provide this service for free, while others charge a small fee (e.g., £8 in Avon & Somerset).

👉 Already have your frame number? Take the next step and register your bike on StolenHQ now. If it’s ever stolen, you can report it in seconds and increase your chances of getting it back.

Retailers Should Help Too
Many cyclists believe bike shops should record frame numbers at the point of sale:

95% said retailers should do it for them.
70% would choose a shop that offered security advice.
Some brands, like Brompton and Bianchi, now ask customers to register their frame numbers upon purchase, setting a new standard for security. But until all retailers follow suit, it’s up to you to take action.

Take Action Now – Protect Your Bike
🚲 Step 1: Find and photograph your bike’s frame number.
🔍 Step 2: Store it securely (email it to yourself).
📝 Step 3: Register your bike on StolenHQ for free—so if it’s ever stolen, you can report it instantly and alert the community.

Thousands of bikes go missing every year. Don’t wait until it’s too late—record your frame number now and register with StolenHQ today.