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RCMP want to put the brakes on bicycle theft

Penticton RCMP are launching a registration program for bicycles to keep a record for owners
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Penticton RCMP Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth in a staged photo by the RCMP who are launching a bicylce registration program hoping to curb an increase of thefts in the area. Submitted photo

RCMP are launching a registration program looking to apply the brakes on a steady increase of bicycle theft in Penticton and outlying areas.

Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth said in 2016 there were 220 bikes stolen, up from 124 in 2015. The start of 2017 has seen over double the amount of stolen bicycles with 24 reported compared to 10 during the same period in 2016.

“This crime is extremely frustrating for the victims, who have spent hard earned money on their bicycles, as well as the police who deal with bike thefts daily,” said Wrigglesworth in a press release. “Many bicycles are recovered and returned to their owners who have recorded their serial numbers and can identify the bike as their own, but very often a person will report their bike as stolen but will not have the serial number recorded.”

On Saturday April 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Penticton RCMP Community Policing and their volunteers will be launching Project 529. The bicycle registration at 185 Lakeshore Dr. W., at the Community Policing Office beside The Peach concession on the beach.

The serial number is engraved on the bottom bracket shell by the pedals. Taking a photograph of the serial number and of you with your bicycle is a great way to keep a record of your bike.

Project 529 operates with the aim to end bike theft through the use of a mobile application and website service to allow users to:

- Register their bike in a database that will work worldwide

- Transfer the registration of a bike in the event of a sale

- Report their bike, in the event of a theft, to the 529 community (and other social networks)

- Maintain registration information to provide to police or insurance in the event of theft or damage

- Search the database to ensure that a bike being purchased has not been reported missing

- View the ‘hot sheet’ of other missing bikes in the area, to keep a look out for them

- Print registration cards and missing posters

- Connect to fellow cyclists if a missing bike is spotted

For more information please click on the following link: https://project529.com/garage/

Wrigglesworth said local bike shops will be joining them in the launch on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.