By Ian Holmes

Nanaimo Police Pushing New Bike Theft Tool

Jun 23, 2016 | 12:30 PM

A new online tool is being endorsed  by Nanaimo RCMP in the hopes of putting the brakes on the ongoing local stolen bike problem.

529 Garage allows bike owners to create an online profile for their bike which includes key details like serial numbers and unique characteristics to narrow the search for a stolen bike.

Founder Jay Allard says their program allows users to send an alert to fellow 529 Garage users within a 10 km radius when a bike is stolen.

“Bycycle is the only vehicle we put on the streets or in our waterways that’s not registered, and it’s the hardest one to lock up and prevent from being stolen, so let’s create a system where cyclists can protect each other and protect themslves – they register their bike, they can be on the lookout for one another, it’s like a neighbourhood watch,” Allard said.

The free anti-theft tool is brand new and it’s value is will be strengthened by critical mass according to Allard. 

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Vancouver Police Department Cst. Rob Brunt says 529 Garage has been used in that city for the past 6 months and the reviews so far have been good.

“We’re getting huge recoveries and at the same time we’re seeing the actual real losses of the bikes that we never saw before,” said Brunt.

“Jay’s system allows us to look at the bike and identify it in so many different aspects, it’s a valuable tool for any officer.”

Local bike shop owners met with Allard, Brunt and Nanaimo RCMP representatives on Wednesday at the Beban Park Social Centre to learn more about how 529 Garage works.

Nanaimo RCMP Cst. Gary O’brien states that they have 400 active files of stolen bicycles at any given time and only about 5% are ever recovered.

529 Garage is free to use and availble online or in app form on your smart phone.