Anyone in Portsmouth can get their bicycle security marked for free, thanks to a series of bike marking events this year.

Portsmouth City Council is working with Hampshire Constabulary to help residents protect their bicycles from theft by registering them with Bike Register, making it easier for the police to recover stolen bikes.

Registering a bike with Bike Register is quick and simple to do and increases the chances of owners being reunited with their bike in the event of it being stolen. A unique reference number is created to go alongside the cycle’s frame number, then applied to the bike frame, and details are held on a secure online database which all UK police forces have access to.

Residents can attend free drop-in events throughout the year to get their bikes marked. There is no need to pre-book, and security marking is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Following feedback from previous rounds, the council are offering events at weekends and in evenings at various locations:

• Saturday 31 May, 11am – 1pm, Arundel Street, City Centre
• Saturday 28 June, 11am – 1pm, Gunwharf Quays (outside Tesco Express)
• Thursday 10 July, 5pm – 7.00pm, Paulsgrove, Allaway Avenue (Outside Rowlands Pharmacy)
• Thursday 24 July, 5pm – 7.00pm, Cosham High Street

In a further effort to enhance bike security, the council is providing bike marking kits to six independent businesses: Portsmouth Cycle Exchange, GC Bikes, CycleWorld, Pompey Cycle Hub, Cycle Trace and Cycles@Milton. If people purchase a new or used bike from any of these businesses, or take their cycle in for a service, these businesses will offer security marking for free. The frame number and stickers will be registered, providing an added layer of security for bike owners.

In 2022 and 2023, over 500 bikes were marked in Portsmouth, resulting in the recovery and return of several bicycles to their rightful owners. This initiative has proven to be an effective measure in combating bike theft in the city and aims to encourage more people to feel safe and secure in choosing to travel by bike instead of private vehicles.

Cllr Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport at Portsmouth City Council, said: Getting people to have their bike registered and marked for free really works. It gives cyclists peace of mind and helps the police tackle the problem of bike theft, creating a better, safer cycling environment for everyone.