unnypn

I have attached contact information on many of my possessions: my laptop, my nice hat, my panniers, and more. One time I left my laptop in a public place, and a nice person used that contact info to get it back to me. I was wondering about attaching my contact information to my bicycle? I'm imagining if it is somehow lost, but not stolen, and somebody wants to return it to me, I'd like to make it easy for them. Has anybody done this? If so, tips on the best way to do it? Thanks for your advice!

My apologies if this has been asked before, or if this isn't the right place to ask, or if I am doing anything else wrong! I am new to these forums.

Rolla

Similar thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/advocacy-...k-my-bike.html

Etching is cheap. The cops at the local university here will do it for free.

I've heard of people putting a laminated note with their name and number in the bottom bracket shell, advising any mechanic to contact them if someone else brings the bike in for a repair. Not sure how effective that would be...

cxwrench

Why bother to ask? If you think it's a good idea, do it.

rsbob 

Hmmm…. How exactly does one ‘lose’ a bicycle? Just wondering about the nature of the question to begin with. It’s not like forgetting where you parked the car in a huge parking lot, Care to expand on your thought?

I have zero issue with you placing your info on your bike.

qwaalodge

If the bike got stolen instead, the thief might use the contact info to find out where you live and if you have more of those nice bikes they can steal.

locolobo13 

I don't see anything wrong with it. Just a phone number or email and name. How and where to attach it could be a problem. But it might work..

The serial number on the bottom bracket is permanent. Well mostly. I have a copy with me when riding. You can register Trek bikes with Trek by the SN. Probably other manufacturers too.

If the bike's not where I locked it I assume it's stolen not lost. And call the police. Having the SN is helpful. If it turns up they'll call you. If you don't want to press charges you don't have to.

Koyote

A bike seems like a difficult thing to lose, unless you are heavily into psychedelics.

PBC peugeot

that was also my thought

qwaalodge

Or unless you left your bike in the middle of a labyrinth or huge multi-level car parking lot.

Theft is way more likely.

PBC peugeot

I have an old card in one of my Stetsons that reads
"NO it's not yours, PUT IT BACK!"

back when men wore hats
and bikes were HEAVY

tkamd73 

I’ve lost my phone a few times, and my car keys, haven’t ever come even close to losing a bike.
Tim

unnypn

Thanks! I'll look into that! And thanks for the link to the other thread, too.

unnypn

It's a hat hand-made by a good friend of mine. It's warm (and I live in Minnesota so that's helpful) and I also get more compliments for the hat than all the other clothing item I have owned in my life combined. I can't attach photos yet because I'm new to the forums, but perhaps soon!

unnypn

One time I left my bicycle on a bus (the kind that have a front rack). I called the bus company and they said it's probably still on the bus, making its rounds. The bus came back to where it dropped me off and I got it, thankfully.

I can absentmindedly leave my bike in lots of places!

prj71

Maybe biking isn't for you. That's a difficult object to lose. How do you even do that?!!

And if it's stolen...Don't count on the person returning it to you just because your contact info is on the bike.

msu2001la

Not exactly what the OP is asking, but lots of people add name stickers to fancy bikes, similar to what you see on pro race bikes. I've also seen smaller versions of these on wheelsets. You could probably get one customized with a phone number as well.

These could be peeled off, so they're not permanent and probably would do little to deter theft, but they look kind of cool and are a way to add some customization and identification to your ride.



In a similar vein, I customized the home screen on my Garmin Edge so that when it powers on, it displays my name and phone number with a message to return. It's not a theft deterrent, obviously, but Garmins do come off accidentally (especially during CX or MTB races) and often the person who finds it has no idea how to return it to the owner.

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/08/...er-garmin.html

cyccommute 

I write “This bike might be stolen. Contact…” with my name and phone number on the steer tube of my bikes. If the bike is stolen and it ends up in a shop or co-op someone taking it apart will find the message. I doubt I’ll ever get a bike back this way but at least I have a chance.

msu2001la

Name stickers can also be helpful for kids bikes and scooters. Kids have an amazing ability to immediately forget how they got somewhere or who's bike got left in the garage, etc.

prj71

I've been thinking about getting one of these in case my bike gets stolen. Hide it under the seat or in my seat bag.

https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/mo...i-t5300bbegus/

Saudadeii

Hide a Tile or Airtag somewhere (maybe under the seat). Register your bike with Project 529 and get the Shield.

imakecircles

You can register your bike and serial # on the Bike Index website, then purchase a $5 sticker with a QR code that can be linked to your bike. Then if your bike is lost or stolen and someone sees it, they can contact you without having your contact information/physical address. Knowing that it's registered from the visible sticker may also deter thieves in the first place.

prj71

Thieves will just tear the sticker off.

Reflector Guy

As I get older, the odds increase every year that I might ride my bike somewhere, enjoy a drink or a donut or something, and then forget about the bike and walked home. Could happen.

tempocyclist

Name and phone number* on a sticker somewhere on the bike may help. I wouldn't go as far as putting a home address on there though!

* or email address, Instagram account, TikTok handle, Grinder profile, or whatever that cool kids are into these days...

prj71

Stickers can be ripped off. Not the best idea.