Cycling City's Bike Passport now available

A new method for keeping bikes safe in Bristol and South Gloucestershire is being trialled thanks to the Cycling City team.

The Cycling City Bike Passport has just been launched, in association with Avon and Somerset Police, with the aim of reducing the trade in stolen bikes.

The bike passport works by asking bike owners to write down identifying features and take a photograph of the bike. Details can then be recorded online using the free Immobilise national property register.

If that person becomes a victim of bike crime they can give the passport to the police for help in tracking down the stolen bike. The passport can also be used to give insurance companies full details of the bike so the owner can receive compensation. The Immobilise website makes this all very easy and automatic.

If the bike is sold on to another person, the passport should be handed over, which will help to limit the trade in stolen bicycles being resold.  If this scheme proves successful the Cycling City team would hope to see all second hand bicycles sold in the area done so with a passport, reassuring buyers of the bike's history.

A supply of bike passports are being sent to bike shops in the area and they will be available at Cycling City, Safer Bristol, Safer South Gloucestershire, and Avon and Somerset Police events in the city. Passports can also be picked up from the reception in Brunel House.

A printable version can be downloaded from the Downloads section of this website.