The Town of Smithers Community Safety team is rolling out a new bike registration initiative with Project 529, a global bike recovery network designed to help reunite stolen bikes with their owners.
Each year, Community Safety Officers and law enforcement personnel recover numerous bikes, but without proper registration, many remain unclaimed.
According to the Smithers RCMP, From Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2024 there were 36 reported stolen bikes and only seven recovered.
"The Smithers detachment is excited to be involved with this community initiative in collaboration with the Town of Smithers," said Constable Jocelyn Foidart.
"The Garage 529 initiative offers multiple benefits, particularly in crime prevention and community engagement. By providing an easy-to-use bike registration system, it deters theft as stolen bikes become more difficult to resell."
Additionally, the detachment hopes to achieve greater success in recovering stolen bikes since registered bikes can be quickly identified and returned to their rightful owners.
"Lastly, the initiative fosters stronger police-community relationships by involving residents in crime prevention efforts," Foidart added.
"We hope residents take full advantage of this program and we look forward to seeing the positive impact of this initiative."
By registering your bike with Project 529, you create a direct link between yourself and your bike, increasing the chances of recovery if it is lost or stolen.
"We know how frustrating it is for residents to lose a bike, and we want to help get them back to their rightful owners," said Carl Chad, the town's community safety officer.
"By working with local bike shops and the RCMP, our goal is to make it easier for our community to protect their bikes and recover them if they go missing."
Project 529 is an internationally recognized database used by over 400 law enforcement agencies, universities, bike clubs, and bike shops worldwide. Registration is quick and free, and bike owners can purchase a unique 529 Shield decal that acts as a deterrent against theft.
