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What’s the first thing to do when you get a new bike? Write down the serial number and register your bike with the local police. (Look for the serial number stamped on your bike’s head tube, seat post tube, under the crank, or on the frame’s rear wheel mount.) Police across Illinois recover lots of bikes each year, but can’t return most because they’re not registered. If your local police don’t have a registration program, keep a copy of your serial number in a safe place.

Identifying Marks

You can discourage thieves by engraving your name or social security number in an obvious place on your bike frame. Or put a card with your name and phone number inside the handlebar tube—so if you find your stolen bike at an auction, junk shop, or flea market, you can prove it’s yours.

If Your Bike Is Stolen

First, find your bike’s serial number if you have it. Then call your local police and tell them where your bike was stolen. Try to get a police report number that you can use for an insurance claim. Also find out how police will contact you if they find your bike.

Looking for Your Bike

Sometimes you can find your bicycle at places like pawn shops, auctions, or resale shops that might deal in stolen merchandise. But if you find your stolen bike among other property that someone’s selling, remember that they won’t just give it to you; you must prove it’s yours. Keep your serial number or use identifying marks as described above. Call your local police to learn whether they auction off recovered, unclaimed property.