Cyclists are being urged to take adequate steps to check the legitimacy of a bike they are buying in order to dramatically reduce the market for stolen bikes.

Andrew Knights, Managing Director of BikeRegister, the UK’s leading online bicycle and registration initiative, said: “Not only is it illegal to buy a stolen bike or bike parts, but doing so contributes to the entire economy that makes bike theft possible.

“We are calling for cyclists to think carefully and make proper checks before they buy.”

BikeRegister aims to reduce cycle theft, identify stolen bikes and assist in owner recovery and supports any Police action to create a legitimate market in used bicycles.

Mr Knights continued: “Not only does buying a stolen bike encourage thieves to steal more bikes, but you run the risk of losing the bike and the money you paid for it if the police catch you in possession.

“They will confiscate the bike and you have no legal right to regain it. You could even be charged with handling stolen goods.”

BikeRegister recommends that the first thing to do if you spot a bike you would like to buy is to check it has not been reported stolen. You can do this easily by checking the company’s Bike Checker facility for free and inserting the frame number or BikeRegister ID code of the bike you are thinking of purchasing.

Certain websites have a reputation for selling stolen bikes. Although a seller may be offering a bike at a low price, ask yourself why that may be. As the saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Consider the following:
» Does the seller look like the type of person to own that particular bike?
» Can they supply a receipt? If not, is their reason plausible?
» Are they able to tell you about how the bike rides?
» Can they identify and tell you about any parts that have been added since purchase?

If a seller struggles to answer any or all of these questions, alarm bells should be ringing!
» Where did you get it?
» How much did it cost?
» How long have you had it?
» Why are you getting rid of it?

Andrew Knights concluded: “Trust your gut instinct about a seller and if you think a bike they are selling is stolen, save yourself a great deal of hassle and just don’t buy it from them.”

For further information and images contact: Angela Singleton, Press Officer for Selectamark. Mobile: +44 (0) 7905 623 819. Email: [email protected]

For further information and images contact: Angela Singleton, Press Officer for Selectamark.

Mobile: +44 (0)7905 623819
Email: angela.singleton@selectamark.co.uk
Twitter: @bikeregister