Website helps owners find lost or stolen bikes

About 38,000 bicycles are stolen in Belgium every year, according to figures from the ministry for the interior. In addition, police and local authorities collect thousands of abandoned bicycles annually. Some bikes are returned to the owner immediately, especially those with the owner’s national register number etched into the frame. But to help match all of the unmarked bikes with their owners, the government launched www.gevondenfietsen.be/www.velosretrouves.be.

The website’s centralized database allows victims of bicycle theft to search for their bike online and contact the police department. The search is based on various criteria such as the presence of bicycle bags, the chassis number, etc. The site is intended for the owners of lost or stolen bicycles, but also provides helpful tips for preventing bicycle theft.