If you ask for it (enough), they will come.

A little while back, I tried looking into how Philly residents could register their bikes for our Where Can I Wednesday column. After a few emails and calls, I was surprised that Philly didn’t have a set system besides a few select neighborhoods.

Plus, when my friend’s bike was stolen, she found it on Craigslist. And couldn’t get it back, even though she inquired about it with the police. Oof. 

But times are a-changing. Due to enough requests and pleas from the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, Center City residents (and “those who live, work or regularly travel to Center City”) are able to register their bikes with a pilot program.

How to Register your Bike in Philly:

1. Log onto PhillyPoliceBikeRegistry.com.
2. Complete the Registration Form & upload a bike pic. Make sure it’s a flattering, sexy photo of your bike. (OK, the last part is a lie. But who doesn’t think bikes are cute?)
3. Hope you don’t have to get to step 3. If your bike does get stolen, call the police.

Don’t let your guard down due to these systems – bike thefts are still super high in Center City.

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Julie Hancher is the co-founder and Executive Director of Green Philly, an independent media organization making sustainability accessible, affordable and actionable. Since launching Green Philly in 2008, she has grown it from a passion project into a leading voice for local climate storytelling, pairing impactful journalism with community events and experiences. Julie is a frequent speaker on climate, media innovation and the future of local journalism, and is the creator of SustainPHL and EcoFair. Outside of Green Philly, you can find her hiking, biking, traveling, or exploring Philadelphia. View all posts by Julie Hancher