an effective measure against theft
The bike is an object that people covet... a little too much! Certain models, such as electric-assist bikes and high-end ones, are expensive and require a significant financial investment. And everyone knows it! That is why owners often feel compelled, or even afraid, to ride their bike anytime, anywhere and in any way they like. The worry about the risk of theft is never far away, unfortunately.
Other bikes are not brand new, nor at the cutting edge of technology, nor fitted with the latest components, but they nonetheless hold great value — this time, sentimental. The 16" bike with which you discovered cycling at the age of 6 and which you dream of passing on to your children, the first full-suspension mountain bike you were able to buy after saving your first wages, that collector's Bianchi inherited from your grandfather, the retro city bike found at a flea market that you restored yourself to give it that unique vintage style you love so much...
400,000thefts / year
52%in public spaces
48%in private residences
For all cycling enthusiasts and bike owners, the fear of theft is very real, to the point where it has become not only a barrier to cycling, but also to the development of bike use.
According to a study carried out by the Fédération des usagers de la bicyclette (FUB), 400,000 bike thefts occur in France every year, the majority of which involve city bikes secured with a low-quality lock. These thefts occur everywhere: as much in public spaces (parks, pavements, train stations...) at 52% as in private residences (building courtyards, closed bike storage rooms, garages, parking boxes...) at 48%.
Source: Economic impact and development potential of cycling in France 2020.
Nearly a quarter of cyclists who have been victims of theft give up reporting it to a police station, discouraged by the low probability of it bearing fruit, and tend not to buy a new bike or to trade down.
Approximately 150,000 cycles per year (40%) are found abandoned. However, only 3% manage to be returned due to the inability to identify and verify the owner.
Source: FUB
Various devices to secure bicycles are available on the market: notably increasingly high-performance and effective locks (such as U-locks or armoured chains that offer increasingly high levels of security); and specific bike insurance policies that can prove very useful not only in the event of damage following an accident, fall or bike breakage, but also to be reimbursed part of the purchase price in case of loss or theft.
However, these measures were still insufficient to remedy the situation concretely and durably. The Loi d'Orientation des Mobilités (LOM), passed in 2019, reflects one of the commitments of the Plan Vélo, namely to introduce mandatory bike marking from 2021.
Bike marking a national obligation since 1 January 2021
This directive, published in decree no. 2020-1439 of 23 November 2020 in the Official Journal, is clarified by an order published on 29 December 2020.
With the aim of better combating bike theft, the handling of stolen bikes, trafficking or the illicit resale of cycles, all new bikes and e-bikes (except children's bikes under 16 inches, trailers and scooters) sold by a retailer will be subject to mandatory identification from 1 January 2021. From 1 July 2021, this obligation will also be extended to sales of second-hand bikes carried out by professionals.
To this end, the FUB and the Union Sport et Cycle created the APIC (Association de Promotion et d'Identification des Cycles et de la Mobilité Active) which will henceforth be responsible for managing the single national file of identified cycles (FNUCI), whose automated data processing complies with the conditions set out by the law of 6 January 1978 relating to data processing, files and freedoms.
Several organisations offering marking solutions are approved by the State, namely:
Several organisations offering marking solutions are approved by the State, namely:
Bicycode
Created by the FUB in 2004, one of the pioneers in the field, with a self-adhesive label.
Auvray and the Speed Marking system by engraving.
This protection involves engraving the identification number on 2 or 3 locations on the bike (frame, battery, motor...). This pulse engraving ensures a certain aesthetic quality, but should be avoided on fragile frames, particularly carbon ones.
Recobike
This system encapsulates the security insert (marking) in a layer of high-performance resin, using an injection process that takes only a few minutes. This technique chemically bonds the anti-theft marking to your bike frame.
Paravol
An acrylate sticker with laser engraving, tamper-proof. This sticker features a QR code that links to the bike's profile page hosted on Paravol.org. In case of purchase or a found bike, simply scan this QR code to access the unfalsifiable proof of ownership that indicates its status (stolen / lost / not stolen) and which will alert the owner or Paravol to carry out the return.
Registered bike, reassured and protected cyclist owner!
We can already hear your questions: "A marking on my bike, meaning?
What type of marking?
And where exactly will it be placed?"
And also your comments: "Actually, my new bike won't like it and neither will I, sorry! I like my ride as it is: understated, clean. No way am I going to add a coloured sticker right in the middle of the frame..."
Yet, if misfortune strikes and your favourite bike were to be stolen, you would want at all costs for it to be found quickly and returned to you safe and sound, wouldn't you?
So, even if marking requires making concessions on the aesthetics of the frame, bear in mind that a marked bike is a bike registered on a national file. This means it is therefore a bike that can be quickly returned after a theft, but also resold in due form thanks to an official proof of ownership.
The identification of a bike through marking is reassuring for the cyclist; and also has a strong deterrent effect since thieves will find it increasingly difficult to resell them in the future. And the figures speak for themselves: bike identification reduces the risk of theft by 30%!
How does it work?
How does the marking work?
To combat this real scourge of bike theft, marking serves to link the bike to its owner through a unique and standardised number, referenced by the retailer in a national file (FNUCI), accessible online, and also through the proprietary platforms of each approved operator.
In the event of recovery by law enforcement, by a local authority or even by a private individual, the owner of the bike in question can be contacted and the bike returned to them.
When purchasing a second-hand bike, transactions which are mostly carried out between private individuals, the buyer can also check whether the cycle has been stolen, avoiding unknowingly becoming an accessory to handling stolen goods.
How is the bike identified?
First of all, the marking process must guarantee its permanence and unalterability.
The identifier, composed of alphanumeric characters, is placed on the frame (except in special circumstances) and must be easily readable on a stationary bike, or even while in use. A kind of registration plate for bikes, but more discreet!
The cost of bike identification is often borne by the customer, although it can sometimes be covered by the seller, and will vary depending on the approved marking solution chosen (Bicycode, Paravol, Recobike...).
The bike data (notably the serial number) and the owner's data (surname, first name...) are recorded, on the purchase invoice and on the approved operator's platform, by the retailer at the time of the new bike sale. The approved operator must then transmit the new owner's access codes to them. The new owner will thus be able to log in and complete, if they wish, their profile information or add photos of their bike; or update them as needed (loss, resale).
As for them, the approved operators continuously feed information to the APIC, which records it in the national file it manages. The bike will therefore be identifiable and returnable for life. The role of the APIC is to facilitate the declaration of loss or theft and the recovery of the bike, through its digital centralisation platform.
This single national file of identified cycles is nothing other than a database containing:
- personal data of the bike owner (surname and first name or company name, telephone number, email address) and certain optional data (date of birth, ...)
- the data describing the cycle and its status (in service, stolen/lost, out of service/destroyed, owner sought, for sale, out of workshop) and optional data about the bike (battery serial number, motor serial number, photos...).
These data are accessible to:
- Police forces, gendarmerie and customs services;
- Municipal police officers, rural wardens, as well as municipal agents assigned to the lost property service, authorised by the mayors of their municipality;
- Persons, services or organisations that contribute to the identification of cycles;
- Pounds;
- Director of central administration responsible for transport and mobility or their delegates.
The data contained in the single national file cannot be used for commercial purposes but may be subject to statistical analysis.
Marking
at Probikeshop
Probikeshop has partnered with the operator PARAVOL, which received a favourable opinion on its approval application from the Ministry of Ecological Transition and the APIC in February 2021.
The Paravol sticker, the solution chosen by Probikeshop, is a simple way to identify a bike without any external intervention. It poses no risk to the bike as its use does not involve any physical or chemical treatment of the frame.
This sticker, with a very small dimension (only 50x22 mm), is particularly resistant to tearing, UV rays and bad weather due to its material (acrylate) and its laser bike engraving.
Frequently asked questions
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Where will the marking be placed?
The sticker is applied directly to the frame. Our expert bike technicians and assemblers are instructed to do everything possible to respect the aesthetics of the bike, while keeping the marking clearly visible for quick identification.
The sticker will be systematically placed on the back of the seat tube.
When this is not possible (exceptional case), it will be placed on the front part of that same seat tube. -
How much will the marking cost me?
For you, the marking is free! Probikeshop has decided to offer you this service to support the launch of this national measure.
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Where can I find my information?
Your proof of ownership and your login credentials will be sent to you by email by Paravol. You will be able, whenever and if you wish, to log in to complete or modify the data relating to your bike (status, photos…) or to yourself (change of address…).
All documentation relating to your bike remains at your disposal, for consultation and download in your personal space on the site paravol.org.
The proof of ownership is unfalsifiable as it includes a photo of the bike and the QR code of the item, verifiable by scanning on the Paravol website. This proof of ownership is an official document, it will be required when reselling your bike, or also in the event of return following theft or loss.
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My bike is marked, how do I access my customer account?
Probikeshop has registered you with Paravol using the information you provided when placing your order. Paravol, our approved operator, will send you by email all the necessary information and a login link to connect to your profile. Remember to check your spam folder if you cannot find the email in your inbox!
If you have lost your password, do not worry. You can reset it whenever you wish. If you think your email address is incorrect, do not panic either! Send an email to contact@paravol.org.
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I have a Paravol marking that I cannot activate, what should I do?
Probikeshop has most likely already registered you. Check that you do not have an account by resetting your password. It can happen that your marking has not yet been activated. In that case, you can send an email to contact@paravol.org specifying your code and the name of the retailer (Probikeshop) so that they can take the necessary steps.
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What to do in case of theft?
If you have been the victim of a theft, act without delay. Log in directly to your Paravol account and file the theft report by updating the status. Simple, fast and effective!
Paravol has set up the first national database linking a bike's serial number to its owner, accessible to the community, while protecting anonymity. This database helps speed up the return of stolen bikes with the help of the community.
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My bike has been found! How does the return process work?
In the event that the bicycle is found and identified, Paravol will take care of contacting the owner to arrange the return of the bike as simply as possible.
Depending on the case, the bike is handed directly to its owner, or through a Paravol partner.
Repatriation costs are covered by Paravol up to a maximum of €50.
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In case of sale or change of owner, how should I proceed?
In the event of a private sale, the owner must make the declaration to the approved operator that provided the identifier, and communicate to the buyer the information needed to access the file so that they can register their new personal details.
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What to do in case of recycling or destruction of the bike?
When an owner permanently parts with their cycle, they must make the declaration to the approved operator that provided the identifier. The latter will then securely delete their personal data within 24 hours.
