Bicycle theft in the Netherlands: Facts, Tips and Solutions

The reality of bike theft

The Netherlands is known worldwide as a cycling country. Nevertheless, this cycling paradise is suffering from a persistent problem: bicycle theft. It is estimated that more than 750,000 bicycles are stolen annually, but the actual number is probably much higher because not everyone reports it. Major cities such as Amsterdam, Utrecht and Rotterdam are notorious for the high chance that your bike will disappear without a trace.

And it's not just about city bikes. The rise of electric bikes, cargo bikes and speed pedelecs has made theft even more attractive for criminals.

What to do in case of bike theft?

1. Check your municipality's bicycle depot: Municipalities clean up bicycles that have been stored incorrectly. So your bike may have been moved instead of stolen. Always check the bike depot first.

1. Report it to the police immediately: This can be done online or by phone at 0900-8844. Make sure you frame number or chip number you have at hand, because only with this information can the police link your bike to you if it is found. Tip: when you bring your bike to BIKEBAZE registers, you always have these unique numbers at hand.
2. Check the bicycle theft register: In the Bicycle theft register you can find out if a bike is registered as stolen. This helps not only victims, but also buyers of used bicycles.

How do you prevent bike theft?

Prevention is better than cure. Here are some effective tips:

• Use multiple locks of various types (e.g. ART-2 U-lock and chain lock).
• Secure your bike to an object (bike rack, fence, lamppost).
• Place your bike in a visible, well-lit area.
• Note your frame number (Hint: register with BIKEBAZE), and keep receipts and photos of your bike.
• Use tamper-resistant identifiers such as engraving or stickers.

Why many measures are not enough

While good locks and attention help, thieves are often professional and fast. Police and municipalities are doing their best, but the chances of catching them are low. And when a bike is found, it is often difficult to identify the rightful owner. Many people don't know their frame number, or haven't officially registered their bike anywhere.

BIKEBAZE's role in the fight against bicycle theft

Here comes BIKEBAZE in the picture. As a platform that focuses entirely on the preventing and solving bicycle theft, BIKEBAZE offers a smart, accessible solution:

• BikeVault: Register your bike for free based on the unique frame number. This way, you can easily prove that the bike is yours. You can also register your battery.
• Safe Tags: Visible, unique and tamper-resistant stickers that deter thieves. Our figures show that cycling with a SafeTag can reach 98% less chance walk to be stolen.
• Society: A community of cyclists, shops, municipalities and insurers working together to prevent theft and find stolen bikes by scanning SafeTags, reporting suspicious situations and looking up frame and battery numbers.

Where traditional agencies mainly help afterwards, BIKEBAZE works just fine preventive and detective. From registration to visual deterrence: it's all about smart prevention and rapid recognition of stolen bicycles.

Summarized

Bicycle theft is a persistent problem in the Netherlands. Locking your bike properly is important, but not enough. By registering your bike, providing it with recognisable features and collaborating with initiatives such as BIKEBAZE, you significantly increase your chances of preserving and recovering your beloved bike.

Do you want to register your bike or order a SafeTag now?

Then visit www.bikebaze.nl and discover how easy it is to protect your bike against theft.