Free program could help recover thousands of stolen bikes in Waterloo Region
Posted Aug 6, 2025 04:34:42 AM.
Last Updated Aug 6, 2025 10:36:10 AM.
Over the past five years, thousands of bikes have been stolen in Waterloo Region, and those are just the cases that are reported to police.
In fact, between 2019 and 2024, over 5,400 bikes were reported stolen, and a mere 432 have been found.
To get more bikes back to more cyclists, Waterloo regional police are partnering with a free bicycle registration program, 529 Garage.
A bike can be registered at no cost at project529.com.
If that bike is ever stolen, a community-wide alert can be triggered through the account.
“This alert notifies other users in the area to be on the lookout, increasing the chances of recovery,” reads a release.
The program also has a database of found bicycles that owners can reclaim, a useful tool for local police as well.
“By partnering with 529 Garage, we’re adding another valuable tool to our efforts, one that empowers the community, supports our officers, and increases the chances of recovering stolen bicycles,” said Mark Crowell, Chief of Police.
The official launch of 529 Garage is set for Thursday afternoon at The Hydrocut trail entrance on Glasgow.
