Don’t forget to register your bike! Be sure to register your bicycle to prevent theft
What is Bicycle Theft Prevention Registration?
Bicycle registration is promoted by Fukuoka Prefecture Crime Prevention Associations supported by National Public Safety Commission based on the laws for the promotion of safe use and parking of bicycles (so-called Bicycle Law) in cooperation with the police, local crime prevention group and bicycle shops (bicycle registration points) in order to prevent bicycle stealing and facilitate quick recovery. The registered bicycle registration information is entered into the prefectural police’s computer system for securely and swiftly identifying the bicycle owners.
When you buy a bicycle, register it on the spot.
- Your bicycle can be registered if the shop is a member of the bicycle registration association.
- The member shop has a red sign, "Bicycle Registration Point" ("Registration Point").
- Your bicycle can be registered at a crime prevention association inside the police station, police box, or police substation.
- The registration fee of JPY 600 is charged.
- When you buy a bicycle online, take your bicycle and the guarantee document to a crime prevention association inside the police station, police box, or police substation for registration.
The validity of bicycle registration is 10 years from the year following the registration date.
The validity of bicycle registration is 10 years from the year following the registration date.
※In case the registration date is March 31 2017 or prior, the validity period is 7 years.
Increasingly frequent, sophisticated cases of bicycle theft Know in advance how bicycles are stolen
Theft for one-time use
In many cases, a bicycle is stolen for one-time use by the thief. After use, it will often be abandoned in a hidden location or around a river bank. Most cases occur when a bicycle is left unlocked in front of a train station or private home where a thief simply passes by. Locking the bicycle at all times can dramatically reduce the risk of being stolen.
Group of thieves who steal expensive bicycles and sell them to make money
More and more theft cases involve expensive bicycles to be sold later. The stolen bicycles may be sold illegally to second-hand bicycle shops or at online auction sites. Thieves drive a truck in residential areas and load even locked bicycles on the truck. Since a simple lock cannot prevent such thefts, it may be necessary to use a chain lock to fasten the bike to a building, fence, or other fixtures.
You protect your own bicycle How to lock your bicycle properly
Try double locks
A single lock is not safe enough if you really want to protect your bicycle. A thin wire can be cut off easily. Try to lock your bicycle at two locations, in front and back each, fixing it to something immovable, such as bicycle poles.
Use a combination of different locks
It is more effective to use different types of locks instead of the same type. Try, for example, a thick chain lock and a U-shaped lock in combination, as one type of lock may not be sufficient at times.
