Coding
How pilferers get the short end of the stick
Thieves never touch coded bicycles: The code immediately reveals who the stolen bike belongs to. This makes selling it at flea markets and on the Internet more difficult. And a police check quickly reveals it has been stolen.
How does the code work?
The principle is simple: An engraving machine indelibly marks the bike frame with an owner ID number comprising a unique combination of numbers and letters. This includes the car registration letter of your home town, a three-digit town code, the street code, house number and the owner's initials, preferably supplemented with a two-digit year code. An additional sticker indicating the code also deters sticky fingers.
What are the benefits of, and reasons for, a code?
- Thieves are deterred and hindered from selling the bicycle
- Police checks are faster and simpler
- Abandoned bicycles can be quickly returned to their owners
- The coding system is standardised and available nationwide, hence better than the systems offered by dealers
- Some insurance companies offer lower premiums.
What do I require to code my bicycle?
- ID card
- Invoice or receipt
- For children, the guardians' permission
If you no longer have the receipt, you must confirm that you are the owner by means of an ownership declaration.
Where can I have my bicycle coded?
- In north and southern Germany, it is offered for a fee by bicycle clubs or individual bicycle retailers where the code costs about € 10.
- Frequently, the police offers free coding.
What happens when I want to sell my bicycle or I move? - When selling, you must document the change of ownership in the purchase agreement.
- When moving, you will need evidence of your former address.
The code can be changed at any time with these documents.
