Knowing that bike thefts are on the rise in South Africa, I was wondering if this might help some retrieve their lost steeds! In the Netherlands bike theft is rife with an estimate of 800 000 bikes stolen annually. I would hazard a guess that 90% of the bikes are probably worth what some hubbers would spend on a new saddle or handlebar. Having said that there is an online registration where you can log your bike giving obvious details like make, colour, serial number, upload a pay slip and give your personal deets. Then should this bike be found abandoned or caught between the legs of a low life the police can return it to you! I was thinking that some of these bikes stolen in South Africa probably find there way to major events like the CTCT, Cape Epic, 94.7 and so on. What if there was a system in south Africa (maybe headed by Bikehub) where you could log your bike under your ID, confidentially of course. Then when there is a bike event there are random bike checks where marshals can scan bikes before and after events. Its a long shot but if it could recover a hand full of stolen bikes I reckon its worth it. I would be interest it hearing some opinions and ideas related to this. Not sure if there is something like this already! My mates Cube was stolen out of his garage and then found the next day standing in an ally way in Sea Point. Hope those that have lost their bikes get lucky!
