Bicycle Registration

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project-529-400x514 In the City of La Crosse, over 400 bikes were recovered by our Property & Evidence section as lost and found bikes in 2024. Roughly 185 of those ended up in our City Auction, as the owner was never identified. Many more of these will end up in the 2025 Spring Auction. Also in 2024, 189 bikes were reported as stolen. Only 40 of those were recovered by their owners.

How can you help prevent this as a bike owner? Register your bike for FREE!

The La Crosse Police Department has partnered with the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse to team up with 529 Garage, an international online bike registration organization that assists in the recovery of lost or stolen bikes and allows community members to be on the lookout, increasing chances of recovery.

Register Your Bike with 529 Garage

You can create an account and register your bike(s) with 529 Garage two different ways:

1. Download the 529 Garage app on a mobile device.

2. Use the 529 Garage website.

During the registration process, you can upload pictures of your bike(s) which can significantly aid in recovery if lost or stolen. You can also indicate what information you would like other 529 Garage users to see, if you ever report your bike as lost or stolen. The La Crosse Police Department can see all of your registration details.

Once registered, you can pick up a 529 Garage Shield that you can affix to your bike(s). Shields are available at the La Crosse Police Department (400 La Crosse Street, La Crosse, WI 54601) or any local bike shop. To get the most out of your shield and its protection, put it in a visible location.

What information do I need when I register?

When registering your bike(s), you will be asked for the following information:

Serial Number
Manufacturer
Model
Frame Color
Accent Color
Bike Type
Bike Size
Purchase Type
Bike Value

All of these fields are optional, but the more information you can give, the better! You will also have the option to add pictures. This can be an invaluable tool when searching for a lost or stolen bike

Not sure what these fields are or where to find them? If you need help completing your bike registration, your local bike shop will be happy to help.

Why should I get a 529 Garage Shield?

What if my bike is stolen or lost?

If your bike is stolen or lost, you should report it to your local Police Department. In the City of La Crosse, you can do this two ways:

1. Contact the non-emergency dispatch line to report at 608-782-7575.

2. Fill out this online self-report form to file a police report.

You can also report your bike as lost or stolen through 529 Garage! The information you choose to share with other 529 Garage users will be immediately available so they can be on the lookout. It will also be available to the Police Department; however, this program does NOT alert local authorities.

What if I think I see a stolen bike?