Winnipeg looking to reduce bike thefts through registrations with 529 Garage

The City of Winnipeg is looking to crack down on bike thefts this year by offering a new incentive to bike owners.

The City, along with 529 Garage, is offering free bicycle registrations.

“This free registration service is not just about recovery — it’s about prevention,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham in a statement. “I’m proud to have championed this change, and I encourage every cyclist in Winnipeg to register their bike with 529 Garage. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it connects you to a global network dedicated to bike security.”

The new registration program will replace the current bike registry. The City says as of May 1, it will no longer accept new registrations, and those looking to register their bikes will need to do so through 529 Garage.

Additionally, for bikes already registered through the City, information will be kept until May 1, 2026.

The new system will also give bike owners three methods of reporting a bike theft, by calling 204-986-6222, reporting it online, or visiting a Winnipeg Police Service Centre.

“The shift to 529 Garage as Winnipeg’s bicycle registration system makes it easier than ever to register a bike,” said Mark Cohoe, Executive Director, Bike Winnipeg. “Just as important, the bicycle registry is now linked globally, meaning registry information is available worldwide. Best of all, people purchasing bikes online have a way to check the serial number of a bike against the registry of stolen bikes.”

Bikes that are registered through 529 Garage show up in jurisdictions across the world. Meaning, if a bike was stolen in Winnipeg and recovered elsewhere, it can be returned to the rightful owner.

“The Winnipeg Police Service is pleased to support this initiative to return stolen bikes to their owners,” said Insp. Kevin Riel, commander of the WPS Community Relations Division. “This registry will be an additional tool to continue our enforcement efforts in this regard. In addition, our officers will continue to focus on crime prevention strategies to help bike owners prevent theft in the first place.”

Lastly, through the new bike registration, bike owners can purchase an optional shield sticker from 529 Garage, to show the bike has been registered.