Bike Safety

We think bike theft prevention is a core part of our advocacy work to make biking more accessible in the Region. It takes one theft for someone to be completely discouraged from using cycling as a mode of commute.

Read below on the Project 529 effort, and how you can take part to secure your bike, and those of others in the community too!

Register Your Bike with 529 Garage Today

Between 2019 and 2024, over 5,400 bikes were reported stolen in Waterloo Region — and only 432 were ever recovered, according to WRPS. This past summer, the WRPS partnered with Garage 529, a free bike registration and recovery platform, to change those odds. The program launched in Aug 2025, and is now active across the Region.

Registering your bike with 529 Garage is one of the most impactful things you can do to ensure bike safety in the Region.

What is 529 Garage?

529 Garage is a free app and website that lets you register your bike’s serial number, photos, and ownership details in a searchable database — built by the largest bike registry network in North America. It takes a few minutes and works for any bike: road, mountain, e-bike, or your kid’s first two-wheeler.

How it helps get stolen bikes back

  • Report it stolen in the app, and it triggers a community-wide alert to nearby 529 Garage users to keep an eye out.
  • Police can search the database, so when WRPS recovers or seizes a bike, they can match it back to its registered owner.
  • A public “found bike” database lets anyone check for a match and connect directly with whoever reported it.

As WRPS Const. John Heaton told CBC News, the goal is simple: the more bikes registered, the better the chances of getting stolen ones back.

You can also grab a 529 Shield — a tamper-resistant decal that deters thieves and helps police identify your bike. Free shields are available to CycleWR members, and University of Waterloo students and staff. Might be worth checking local bike shops too!

How to register

  1. Go to project529.com (or download the 529 Garage app).
  2. Create a free account.
  3. Add your bike: serial number, photos, and basic details.
  4. Grab a Shield decal if you can.
  5. Tell a fellow rider — the more people registered, the more effective it is for everyone.

Register your bike today at project529.com.