The Port Alberni RCMP is urging residents to register their bicycles through a free digital system as bike thefts continue to rise across the country. The initiative uses a service called Project 529, which creates a searchable database that helps police identify and return recovered bikes to their rightful owners.
Across Canada, over 118,942 bikes were reported stolen in 2024, marking a 15 percent increase from the previous year. Research shows that bike thefts spike significantly during the warmer summer months, which see a 138 percent increase in incidents compared to the rest of the year. In nearby Nanaimo, the local detachment reported 110 bike thefts in 2024, a 9 percent increase over the previous year, with the vast majority of those incidents occurring between March and September.
By registering a bike or scooter, owners allow the local police to access their contact information if a stolen bicycle is recovered. The system, which has over 3 million bikes in its database, is used by law enforcement agencies throughout western Canada, thanks to support from the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. The program has proven effective in other cities; for example, the Calgary police force doubled its bike recovery rate in a single year after encouraging more registrations.
In addition to registering online, residents can receive help from Port Alberni Community Volunteers, who partner with the police to host registration events. During these events, volunteers often distribute 529 Shield decals, which serve as a visual deterrent to potential thieves. Residents can look for these volunteers operating out of the community policing van or reach out to the detachment at 250-723-2424 for more information.
