The Waterloo Regional Police Service is proud to partner with 529 Garage in an effort to help recover and return lost or stolen bicycles to their rightful owners.

529 Garage, a free bicycle registration program, encourages Waterloo Region residents to register their bicycles at project529.com by uploading key details such as the bicycles serial number, photos, and ownership information. If a registered bicycle is ever stolen, owners can log in to their 529 Garage account to report it and trigger a community-wide alert. This alert notifies other users in the area to be on the lookout, increasing the chances of recovery.

“Between 2019 and 2024, over 5,400 bikes were reported stolen in Waterloo Region, with only 432 successfully recovered,” said Mark Crowell, Chief of Police. “By partnering with 529 Garage, we’re adding another valuable tool to our efforts - one that empowers the community, supports our officers, and increases the chances of recovering stolen bicycles.”

In addition to submitting a report to WRPS, registering a bike with 529 Garage provides law enforcement with essential details to aid in recovery. Police officers also have access to 529 Garage’s system, allowing them to match found or seized bikes with their rightful owners.

529 Garage also maintains a public database of found bicycles, which users can monitor for potential matches. If a match is found, the owner can reach out to the person who submitted the tip to begin the recovery process.

The Waterloo Regional Police Service will be attending the Hydrocut Trail in Kitchener on August 7, 2025, to launch 529 Garage.

Location: The Hydrocut, 1522 Glasgow Street, Kitchener

Date: August 7, 2025

Time: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information or to register your bike, visit project529.com.