As a bike shop, you’re more than just a place for repairs and sales; you’re a trusted guardian of the cycling community. Bike theft is a significant issue worldwide, with the scale of the problem varying by region. In North America, for example, around 2 million bikes are stolen each year. A recent survey in this region found that stolen bikes are often locked (59%), taken overnight (41%), and removed from enclosed spaces (28%). Recovery rates are low, with only 15% of stolen bikes typically returned to their owners. However, reporting a bike across multiple channels can increase the chance of recovery. This is where Project 529 steps in, offering a centralised platform to improve bike recovery efforts and support the cycling community.
By enabling 529 Garage in Hubtiger’s bicycle repair software, your shop becomes a crucial force in this mission, helping safeguard bikes and restore confidence among cyclists. This feature allows you to instantly check bike statuses, assist customers in registering their bikes for free, and even address situations where a bike has been reported as stolen. Here’s how your shop can become a hero in the fight against bike theft, empowering riders and building trust within the cycling community.
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- What is Project 529?
- Why Project 529 Matters to the Cycling Community
- The Value of 529 Garage for Your Shop and Customers
- How to Turn On Project 529 in Your Hubtiger Portal
- How It Works: Checking a Bike’s Status
- Handling Stolen Bikes and Supporting Customers
- Guiding Customers Through Registration: Lock, Register, and Report
- Securing the Future of Cycling Together
What is Project 529?
Project529 began as a grassroots effort to address the rising problem of bike theft after its founder, J Allard, experienced the theft of his own bike. Frustrated by how organised criminals were, Allard set out to create a system that could empower cyclists to protect their bikes and improve recovery chances. Since its inception, Project 529 has grown into the largest bike registry platform globally, known as 529 Garage, where cyclists can log their bike’s details and report theft across multiple channels, helping to disrupt the cycle of stolen bikes re-entering the market.
Today, Project 529 is not only a registry but also a resource for recovery, connecting cyclists, bike shops, police departments, and communities to create a robust network against bike theft. Project 529’s mission is to make bike registration simple, accessible, and impactful, with a focus on building trust within the cycling community.
“The tool really is aimed at connecting a bunch of those dots… If you’re trying to buy a bike, you can check to see if it was reported stolen,” said Lara Ferroni, CEO and Founder of Project 529, emphasising the platform’s goal to unite various stakeholders in the fight against bike theft.
Through partnerships with bike shops like yours, Project 529 is creating a world where every registered bike has a better chance of being recovered, and cyclists can feel more secure about their investments.
Why 529 Garage Matters to the Cycling Community
Bike theft is more than just a financial loss; it’s a major factor that discourages people from cycling altogether. With an estimated $500 million black market for stolen bicycles, it’s increasingly difficult for honest cyclists to feel secure about investing in quality equipment. This issue not only impacts individual riders but also creates a sense of mistrust within the entire cycling community.
“Bike theft is the number two or three reason that people stop riding,” said Lara Ferroni, CEO and Founder of Project 529. “They just don’t feel confident in spending, and bikes can be so expensive these days.”
As a bike shop, you play a crucial role in addressing this challenge. By enabling 529 Garage in Hubtijger, your shop can help customers register their bikes, check their bikes’ status, and understand how to protect their investment. This proactive support restores confidence and trust, empowering cyclists to keep riding without the constant worry of theft.
The Value of 529 Garage for Your Shop and Customers
Enabling 529 Garage in Hubtiger doesn’t just help customers; it also brings multiple benefits directly to your shop by enhancing your service offering, building stronger customer relationships, and positioning your business as a key player in the fight against bike theft.
1. Enhances Customer Loyalty
By offering a bike registration and theft prevention service, your shop becomes a trusted ally to your customers. They’ll see that you are invested in more than just sales and repairs; you are genuinely committed to their safety and peace of mind. This proactive approach fosters customer loyalty, encouraging them to return to your shop for future needs and making them more likely to recommend your services to others.
2. Adds Value to Your Service Offerings
529 Garage equips your shop with a valuable tool that enhances every customer interaction during bike servicing. By checking a bike’s registration status, identifying unregistered bikes, and educating customers on the benefits of bike registration, you’re able to go above and beyond the standard repair process. This extra level of care helps your shop stand out, showcasing your dedication not only to top-quality repairs but also to your customers’ long-term security and peace of mind.
Offering this added service shows that your shop is invested in protecting both bikes and their riders, giving customers more reasons to choose you as their trusted bike service provider. It also builds loyalty and trust, as customers see your commitment to supporting the cycling community, making them more likely to return and recommend your shop to others.
3. Empowers Cyclists with Knowledge and Tool
Through Project 529, your shop can be a source of education on best practices for bike security. You’re able to inform customers about the importance of using secure locks, registering their bikes, and reporting theft or suspicious activity. This support helps cyclists make better decisions about protecting their bikes, reinforcing your shop as a trusted resource they can rely on. When customers leave feeling empowered and informed, they’re more likely to return to your shop and recommend it to others.
4. Strengthens Community Trust and Engagement
As a part of 529 Garage, your shop is contributing to a larger network of bike shops, cyclists, and local authorities working to deter theft. By showing customers that you’re actively involved in this effort, you’re helping to build a safer, more connected cycling community. Cyclists know they can turn to your shop not only for products and repairs but also for support and guidance on security. This engagement builds trust and respect within the community, positioning your shop as a leader in protecting local cyclists.
529 Garage offers your shop the unique opportunity to be a community leader in bike security, helping you establish a reputation that goes beyond repairs and sales. By supporting this initiative, your shop plays a vital role in protecting customers, creating a safer cycling community, and inspiring cyclists to ride confidently.
How to Turn On 529 Garage on Hubtiger
Activating 529 Garage in your Hubtiger account is quick, completely free, and provides powerful benefits. Follow these steps to enable it:
Step 1 – Log in to the Hubtiger Portal: Access your shop’s Hubtiger account to begin setup.
Step 2 – Navigate to Settings: Go to Settings > General > Shop Profile.
Step 3 – Enable 529 Garage: Find the 529 Garage toggle, which is off by default. Toggle it to the on position, and it will change from grey to radish pink, confirming it’s active.
Step 4 – Click ‘Update Profile’: Scroll to the bottom of the page and click ‘Update Profile’. If you don’t save your changes 529 Garage will not be active on your Hubtiger Account. If you accidentally forget to click save, simply go back to your shop profile and enable it again.
Step 5 – Confirm Status Indicators: Once activated, you’ll see status indicators (green, orange, or red) appear next to the serial number field on each job card. These indicators provide real-time updates on each bike’s registration status so your team can quickly identify if a bike is reported as stolen. If you cannot see them, simply refresh your browser and they should appear.
Step 6 – Sign Up for a 529 Garage Account: Follow this link to create a free Project 529 account. This account enables you to contact the owner of a stolen bike through the portal if you come across one in your store.
By enabling Project 529, your team gains access to essential, at-a-glance information on every bike’s security status, empowering them to offer immediate support to customers.
How It Works: Checking a Bike’s Status
With 529 Garage turned on, your team can check any bike’s serial number status when a customer brings their bike in for service. Here’s how each indicator works:
- Red Emergency Light: The bike has been reported as stolen. This status gives your team the opportunity to discuss the bike’s flagged status with the customer and take action as needed.
- Green Shield: The bike is already registered with 529 Garage, providing peace of mind for both your team and the customer.
- Orange Shield: The bike isn’t registered yet, giving you a chance to introduce customers to 529 Garage’s free registration service.
For bikes with an orange shield, you can let customers know about the free registration and explain the benefits. With their explicit consent, Hubtiger will securely share their email address and bike’s serial number with 529 Garage. Project 529 will then contact them to complete the registration.
Note:
This is the only data Hubtiger shares with Project 529 and only with the customer’s permission, ensuring customer privacy and data security.
Handling Stolen Bikes and Supporting Customers
When a bike’s status appears with a red emergency light next to its serial number on the job card, it indicates that the bike has been reported as stolen on the 529 Garage database. This situation requires a professional, sensitive approach to ensure the safety and trust of all involved. Here’s a step-by-step guide for managing stolen bikes in-store:
Step 1: Confirm the Bike’s Status
- If you hover your cursor over the red emergency light, a pop-up message will appear to alert you that the bicycle is listed as stolen on the 529 database.
- To take action and get more information, click on the red icon. A message will pop up saying ‘Stolen Bike Alert’ and provide a link to the stolen bike’s profile on 529 Garage where you will be able to contact the original owner through the Project 529.
- Click on the link and log in to your Project 529 account, or create one if this is the first time you are logging in.
- By logging in, you’ll be able to view the bike’s registration information, including its last reported location and police case details, as shown in the image.
- Next, click the button labelled ‘contact owner’ and you’ll be able to send a message to the registered owner of the stolen bicycle via the 529 Garage portal.
- We advise informing the registered owner of the bike’s location and recommend they contact the police department where the theft report was initially filed. Law enforcement can then decide on further steps, ensuring the situation is handled securely and professionally.
Step 2: Handle Customer Communication with Sensitivity
- The customer who booked the bike for service may also be a victim, as they may have purchased the bike without knowledge of its stolen status. After alerting the original owner and giving them time to speak with the police, kindly inform the customer of the situation and recommend they reach out to the relevant police department handling the case.
- It is essential to avoid taking direct action beyond informing both parties. Always allow law enforcement to handle the situation professionally. This approach protects your shop’s reputation and avoids putting your team in a challenging position.
Step 3: Maintain Professionalism and Sensitivity
- Your team should prioritise kindness and understanding, recognising that the customer may be shocked or distressed. Encourage a supportive environment by listening to their concerns and reassuring them that you are facilitating the proper steps to resolve the matter.
- Politely direct any further questions or concerns to the police, ensuring your team is respectful and empathetic while remaining neutral in the interaction.
Guiding Customers Through Registration: Lock, Register, and Report
Through 529 Garage, your shop can guide customers in safeguarding their bikes. Encourage them to follow these three key practices to secure their bikes and support the larger cycling community:
- Lock: Advise customers to always use a high-quality U-lock, as it’s more secure than a standard cable lock.
- Register: Tell your customer about 529 Garage and offer to help them register their bike for free. Make sure to get their verbal consent before completing the registration. To register, just click on the orange shield icon and enter their details. 529 Garage will then email the customer to finish setting up their account. Alternatively, customers can download the Project 529 app on App Store or Google Play Store and register their bike for free.
- Report: Remind them of the importance of reporting suspicious activity or theft to local authorities. Reporting incidents create a community-wide awareness that makes bike theft riskier for criminals.
By actively promoting these steps, your shop strengthens its reputation as a community leader in bike security, building trust with every customer interaction.
Securing the Future of Cycling Together
Looking to the future, Hubtiger and Project 529 are committed to expanding bike registration, particularly at service points and during sales. With an estimated value of US$1.1 billion in registered bikes in the 529 Garage database, the commitment from the cycling community is clear and continues to grow. Project 529’s plans for future partnerships with police and insurance companies will only amplify the impact, creating a global network of protection for cyclists.
Together, Hubtiger and Project 529 are empowering bike shops to play a pivotal role in reducing bike theft and fostering safer communities. By enabling 529 Garage in your shop, you’re taking a stand against bike theft, helping customers feel secure, and creating a future where every ride begins with peace of mind.