Port Moody police are hoping to make life a little more miserable for bike thieves.
The department is launching its participation in 529 Garage, a bike registration service that makes it easy for users, and police departments, to trace stolen bikes from their mobile devices. Officers will be at the corner of Ioco Road and Murray Street on Wednesday, from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., to register bikes into the program’s database, and place an identification tag onto them.
Cst. Jason Maschke, the community relations officer for Port Moody police, said if a bike that belongs to a registered user is stolen, a simple click of a button on the 529 Garage app or website will send an alert to every member as well as more than 400 policing agencies, bike shops and clubs.
Maschke said the app casts “a much wider net, providing a greater opportunity for a successful recovery.” But, he added, stolen bikes should still be reported to police.
The service can also be used to check if a bike you’re thinking of buying has been reported stolen.
Maschke said there will be several other opportunities for Port Moody cyclists to register their rides, including two more dedicated events as well as a the city’s community fair, Golden Spike Days, Rib-Fest and Car Free day.
For more information about 529 Garage, go to www.project529.com.
