Register a bike
The Police Department provides this voluntary bicycle registration program as a community service.
Through partnership with our community, individuals and local businesses, this program raises awareness of bicycle thefts and reduces the number of stolen and unrecovered bicycles throughout Menlo Park.
Why register
Should your bicycle ever be stolen, the police department can quickly locate your bicycle's identifying information and enter those details into a statewide stolen property database. This information is not shared outside of law enforcement agencies and is used strictly for tracking stolen property.
Lost or stolen bicycles registered through this program have a much greater chance of being returned to their rightful owners once they are recovered.
Bicycle registration also aids in the identification of the bicycle owner in case of a collision. Many bicyclists do not carry identification with them - this is especially true for children. If you or your child's bicycle is registered, parents or family members can be contacted quickly. Do your child and yourself a favor - register your bicycles!
How to register your bicycle
Complete the online bike registration form using the following information:
- Manufacturer
- Model name
- Serial number
- Color(s)
- Men's or women's frame
- Number of speeds
- Value
- Your contact information
Register online
Where is a bike’s serial number
Bicycle serial number locations can vary by manufacturer, but found most commonly here:
- Underside of crank
- Headset
- Rear stays
- Seat downtube next to crank
- Top of crank
Your bike was stolen, now what
Report your stolen bike online if:
- You don’t have any information about possible the possible suspect(s)
- The theft occurred within city boundaries
- You are not reporting an in-progress crime
You can also call the police department directly. Please be prepared to provide simple descriptive information about your stolen bicycle.
Tips on bike theft prevention
- Always lock your bike, even if you are leaving it for “just a moment"
- Always lock your bike's frame and wheels
- Lock your bike even when keeping it in a garage, porch or patio
- Remove all detachable items like lights, bags and quick release parts (take them with you)
- Lock your bicycle to a bike rack, or firmly affixed (bolts covered in concrete) parking meter or sign pole-these are the most secure places
- Buy the most expensive lock you can afford. U-locks are strong and better ones come with theft warranties
- Only buy a U-lock with a flat or disc key; cylindrical keyed locks are more easily picked
Bike locks 101 - Cable or U-lock?
Cable locks are light, easy to use and offer relatively good security. Cable locks come in a variety of thicknesses from incredibly lightweight retractable locks to 12-millimeter heavy weight cables. The down side of cable locks is that they can easily be cut.
U-locks are made of hardened steel and operate similarly to a smaller Master-type lock. The u-lock should be used to secure the frame and wheel to a stationary object. The u-lock's advantage is that it cannot easily be cut with bolt-cutters, however they are heavy and unwieldy compared to cable locks.
Key or combination?
Choose the lock type that best matches your habits. Some people prefer key locks, as people are prone to forget combinations. However, keys can be lost or misplaced.