Past registration events hosted at the Nanaimo RCMP detachment have been well attended, helping people get connected to 529 Garage. (Nanaimo RCMP)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

free registration

529 Garage tackling ‘significant issue’ of bike thefts in Nanaimo

Oct 31, 2025 | 2:00 PM

NANAIMO — While it won’t guarantee a bike doesn’t get stolen, a few minutes of your time will make it much easier for it to be recovered.

Local Mounties are hosting a free registration event at the Nanaimo RCMP detachment on Saturday, Nov. 1, for 529 Garage, a large database of bicycles and contact information police can access in the event they come across one out of place.

Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien said the service is used by nearly every police jurisdiction throughout western Canada.

“For years, we would find bikes scattered throughout the city, we’d have 40 or 50 bikes, and we had no way of determining who owned the bike. With 529, there’s an email attached to it, so if we find a bike, we certainly contact the email address, and return it to you.”

Registration involves taking a photo of your bicycle and entering some specific information, including contact details.

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O’Brien said bike theft is a “significant issue” in Nanaimo.

Saturday’s event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with those attending getting an anti-theft sticker for their ride, which features a 10-digit code police can easily look up.

The sticker also helps deter theft, according to O’Brien, by showing the bike is registered.

Those who miss out can register their bike online through the 529 Garage website.

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