The City of Winnipeg is encouraging Winnipeggers to register their bikes through a new online platform called 529 Garage in an effort to curb bike theft.
Registration is free, and Mayor Scott Gillingham says it’s not about recovery, but instead, prevention.
“I’m proud to have championed this change, and I encourage every cyclist in Winnipeg to register their bike with 529 Garage. It’s quick. It’s easy, and it connects you to a global network dedicated to bike security,” said Gillingham.
All bike data registered with 529 Garage is accessible by cities and towns worldwide, including the City of Winnipeg.
“Biking is one of the best ways to get around our city, whether you’re commuting or simply enjoying our beautiful parks and active transportation paths,” said Evan Duncan, Chairperson of the Standing Policy Committee on Community Services. “Registering for free with 529 Garage is one of the best things you can do to protect your bike against theft.”
If a registered bike is stolen, owners can set an alert on 529 Garage and report it to police.
“The shift to 529 Garage as Winnipeg’s bicycle registration system makes it easier than ever to register a bike,” said Mark Cohoe, Executive Director of Bike Winnipeg. “Just as important, the bicycle registry is now linked globally, meaning registry information is available worldwide.”
As of May 1, 2024, the City of Winnipeg will no longer accept new registrations for the existing bike registry. Instead, cyclists are encouraged to register with 529 Garage. If your bike is registered with the city, they will keep your information on file until May 1, 2026, and will have access to it if they recover your bike before that date.