For a registered bicycle:
- When the Madison Police Department receives a registered bicycle, the bike is checked against the Bicycle Registration Database. If the registration sticker is missing, the serial number is used.
- Per statute, a letter is sent to the registered owner's last known address notifying them of the recovery of their bicycle.
NOTE: Always remember to update your Bicycle Registration address every time you move. This way you are more likely to have your bicycle returned to you.
- If the letter is returned as undeliverable, all reasonable effort is made to find the registered owner's new address.
- If no address is found, the bicycle is treated as unregistered.
For an Unregistered bicycle:
- When the Madison Police Department receives an unregistered bicycle, the bike is checked against the Stolen Property Reports.
NOTE: ALWAYS file a Stolen Property Report if you bike is stolen. Without the report, there is no record of the theft.
- If the bike matches the description in a Stolen Property Report, the individual is contacted and asked to provide the serial number of their stolen bicycle to prove that it is the correct bike.
- If the individual does not have the serial number, a very detailed description can suffice to return the bike to its owner.
NOTE: Remember, the more detailed the description of your bicycle (scratches, stickers & dents as well as make & size), the more likely the bike will be returned to you.
- The MPD holds onto all unclaimed bicycles for 30 days. During this time, the owner may check with the Bicycle Recovery Program to see if the bicycle has been recovered.
- If 30 days have passed and the bicycle has still not been claimed, the bike is:
a) requested to go to auction if ridable
b) requested to be destroyed if unridable, structurally damaged
or unsafe.
- Auction: unclaimed bicycles are sent to wisconsinsurplus.com, where the public may bid on them.
NOTE: If an owner locates their bicycle on propertyroom.com, they may "Steal It Back" by providing the bicycle's serial number.