Cycleline

The stickers are a couple of mm thick with a metal strip inlay. The adhesive is the strongest available and whilst we can't guarantee they can never be removed, it's no easy feat to do so. We include a clear protective strip that amply covers the tag and if you try and remove them, it's virtually impossible to do so without evidence a tag previously being there. If you try and cover the tag, the thickness is an immediate give-away. It's all about awareness, checking the bike thoroughly to see if the bike is/was tagged and matching it with stolen bikes online. QR code readers. Any phone older than 2004 has scan reader capabilities. All you need is Internet access and a camera. The download is completely free and QR code usage is rising over 1400% every month in SA! And yes definitely, great idea with regards to involving insurance co's. We're finalising plans with a major company right now who will be offering reduced premiums and lower excess if you bike is tagged and registered. We really do appreciate ALL your comments, thoughts and ideas. Please keep 'em coming and we'll do our best to improve, add value and services to meet these as quickly as we can.

Steve, our service is not mandatory and you can decide if it works for you or not. We're sorry you are not going to be joining us but thank you for your comments and wish you safe and happy cycling.

Whilst we appreciate your comments, let's look at this realistically. The plan is not to make money off other people's misfortunes but to offer a very viable and effective way to raise awareness, deter bike theft and identify owners. You could say the same thing about security companies and any other industry, business or organisation providing a security service. Kryptonite (UK) and MyBikerego (Aus) are fee paying sites too and what we have done is kept our subs to just 63 cents per day. The thing is SteveCT, it's a really good initiative which should be embraced for exactly what it is.

Hi Chubba, Our site is live and you can sign up right now. We have no registered stolen bikes to report (that's a good sign ) but the rest is up and working well. Please let us know if you are experiencing any probs and we'll remedy right away. And yes, we'll have a video on our site and YouTube with more info soon.

Yes, I believe they do although I am not sure how pro-actively they do this though. The beauty of our Quick Response tags is their visibility. They should be displayed prominently. You are telling everyone that your bike is tagged and registered - a bit like having a security board outside your house. It's a warning and an effective deterrent. If you are offered a bike with a tag, scan it and it will detail the status of the bike. Removing a tamper proof tag will mark the frame, so if you are suspicious, check online. Stolen bikes will be profiled with photographs identifying where to tag was or should be. Think of it as community policing. We need an effective way to slow down this rising rate of bike crime and stop those trading in stolen bikes so time to stand together.

Great comments, thank you. Insurance: Yes, we have an insurance company coming on board very shortly offering lower premiums or reduced excess if your bike is tagged and registered. Components: Sure, you can tag any part of you bike and we would certainly recommend you do so. Your ID Cycleline kit comes with 4 tamper proof tags and can (and should) be placed prominently on your frame and other expensive components that can facilitate this. Policing: We are very pleasantly surprised by the reception received from the police thus far. We're providing posters for police station walls encouraging police and self policing with easy to follow instructions. Mail shots are being circulated via SAP PR and following the Carte Blanche bike jacking exposure, they are very much in favour of endorsing and promoting this initiative. We're not going to rest on our laurels either - we're out meeting and demonstrating the service with the emergency service teams and police to raise awareness. Subs: We've priced it as affordably as we can. This initiative is run and operated by cyclists for cyclists and it's a massive undertaking. We reckon though that at just 63 cents per day, it's a small price to pay for such a good service.

Thank you for your support and yes, we have an insurance company coming on board very shortly. They'll offer a reduced rate or lower excess if your bike is registered and tagged.

Thanks for your great comments. Yup, you are right, getting SAP buy is a major factor and it's a huge part of our awareness campaign to ensure they do. Our tags have a super bond adhesive that makes it virtually impossible to remove without leaving evidence that the bike was tagged. Anyone offered a bike that appears to have a tag removed should be alerted that it could be stolen and by simply checking online, the full description service will available, so self policing plays a vital role too. And yes, critical mass will ensure the success of this initiative. We've priced it affordably and will continue to add benefits to the service as we go along so we're encouraging support.

Hi Doris, thanks for your comments. We appreciate the input. There are similar online bike registration services which work very effectively in a number of countries. We put in huge amounts of research before launching here and by the response we are already having, we know that this service is a good and much needed one. We're not promising it's going to stop bike theft - but a tag (which is virtually impossible to remove)does act as a deterrent and does help to identify bikes and their owners. We provide a national register for cycle owners and an effective and efficient service to help identify owners and their bikes in the event of an emergency. Sure we charge R230 for a years membership, but in that time, you are get the benefit of our services and not just a tamper proof tag and ID card. We also considered the idea of using QR's on a bracelet or chain but as not everyone wants to wear them, a card easily carried in a cycling top makes more sense. Thing is, it's time we took pro-active measures to deter bike theft and we are taking this very seriously.

Announcing the launch of www.cycleline.co.za - an online cycle registration service that uses Quick Response Code technology to identify bikes and their owners. The initiative is proudly South African and borne out of the necessity to pro-actively deter bike theft and reduce trade in stolen bikes throughout SA. Membership on www.cycleline.co.za includes full registration of owners and their bikes, including photographs, emergency contact and medical info. Each bike gets a unique tamper proof QR Identification tag which is placed prominently on the bike frame and a QR ID Card which details personal and medical identification. The QR is a 2d barcode, which when scanned with any mobile phone that has internet access and a camera, links immediately to the registered owners information. In the event of an accident, paramedics attending at the scene, simply scan the QR to retrieve vital medical and contact information. Should the bike be stolen, the profile status is immediately changed to reflect this and anyone scanning the code thereafter, will immediately be alerted. Social media feeds spread the word to all to be on the lookout and when the stolen bike is recovered, QR identification ensure a quick return to the rightful owner. It's effective and affordable so register on www.cycleline.co.za today. It could save your assets. It could save your life.