PROJECT 529: Register, report, recover.
What is project 529? In their own words: ‘Project 529 is a digital bicycle registration and recovery system designed to combat bike theft through a community-driven database known as the 529 Garage. By registering with Project 529, cyclists can easily report stolen bikes to law enforcement and the local community, increasing recovery rates by up to 70% in some cities’. Is it worthwhile? Well, project 529 has registered over 3 million bikes worldwide since 2013 and works to make it harder for thieves to sell stolen property.
A sticker to stop bicycle thieves?
The project 529 shield is a tamper-resistant, weather-proof decal with a unique QR code applied to the bike frame, acting as a theft deterrent and making it easy for police to check the registry. Check out their facebook page on facebook.com/project529/
How project 529 works
- Register: Users register their bike (serial number, photos) for free at com. I was given a small roll of stickers for everything in the garage by Alain. Alain is currently at TWOTHREEBIRD in Stellenbosch, and I know him from previous experience at Specialized in Paarl.
- Protect: Users apply a 529 Shield decal to show they are part of the network. You can either do so very visibly on the bicycle and make it stand out. or do so discreetly by placing the sticker out of plain sight on the bicycle frame. Which would you choose and why?
- Recover: If stolen, police and community members can use the app to search for the bike, enabling faster recovery. This is particularly useful on John’s MTB for example. Where the whole thing is covered in stickers already. So, chances of the thief worrying or even noticing the 529 sticker are slim.
And friends over at local Stellenbosch-based bicycle insurance tech company, Two Three Bird, says that Project 529 is recognized by law enforcement agencies, universities, and bike shops worldwide, functioning as a proactive, collaborative approach to fighting bike theft.
Project 529 promotes teamwork to stop bicycle theft
Finding solo bicycles doesn’t happen in isolation. Here are the FIVE key components of project 529 that work in tandem (see what I did there?) to recover stolen bicycles. Or at least make it more difficult for scoundrels to dispose of them.
Registery >> stickers >> partnerships >> detective >> protect
#1 is the project 529 Garage Registry. This is a free, online database to register bike details (serial number, photos, owner info) to assist in recovery. Then #2 next up is the project 529 Shield. This is the tamper-resistant decal with a unique code that acts as a visual deterrent to thieves and allows police to quickly identify the owner. #3 is their Partnerships. Project 529 partners with police, universities, and bike shops (including Upway) to boost security. #4 is called project 529 Detective. This is a paid service that scans online marketplaces like Facebook and Craigslist for stolen bikes. And #5 is last but not least project 529 Protect. This is a subscription service that provides support for bike replacement if a bike is not recovered within 30 days.
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I’ve paid it forward by giving John a sticker for his MTB and hope you will do the same. Grab one from project 529 online. Because if you still have a bicycle then we can send it for you with the #bicyclecouriers network. See, everyone wins!
