Register your bike and fill out the bike pass: document ownership clearly

Bicycle coding and a fully completed bicycle pass make it easier to identify a bicycle that has been found or seized. Neither prevents theft nor replaces a high-quality lock. The benefit comes from accurate ownership records: the frame number, features, proof of purchase, and current photos are available in a secure place when the police or insurance company need them.

The bicycle pass and coding have different purposes

The bicycle pass is your private documentation. It contains information about the owner and bicycle, such as the manufacturer, model, frame number, color, distinctive features, and existing coding. The Police Crime Prevention provides a paper pass for download and explains which information is important in the event of theft.

Coding adds an additional, permanently or difficult-to-remove marking to the bicycle. In the ADFC’s widely used procedure, the code contains encrypted information that helps identify the owner. It is not identical to the frame number. The ADFC describes coding procedures, benefits, and limitations in detail.

Why the frame number is documented first

The frame number is assigned by the manufacturer and is located in different places depending on the bicycle, for example under the bottom bracket, on the seat tube, or around the head tube. Use the user manual or the manufacturer’s information rather than randomly removing covers. Photograph the number legibly and transfer it character by character to the pass.

Do not confuse the frame number, item number, key number, battery serial number, and motor number. Write down each identifier with a clear designation. If no frame number can be found or the characters appear altered, contact the dealer, manufacturer, or police; do not invent a number or try to engrave characters into the frame yourself.

These documents belong in an ownership file

• Proof of purchase or written sales contract with the date and an unambiguous description of the bicycle
• Completed bicycle pass with frame number and coding
• Full photo of the left and right sides in good lighting
• Detailed photos of the frame number, distinctive features, and accessories
• Manufacturer, model, color, frame size, and ETRTO tire size
• Separately identified serial numbers of the battery, motor, display, or lock
• Contact details for the insurer and, if applicable, the policy number

Save a copy separately from the bicycle and not exclusively on a phone, which could also be lost while traveling. Personal data should not be posted publicly on social networks or in freely accessible cloud folders. An encrypted digital copy plus a paper printout kept in a secure place is a practical combination.

The official bicycle passport remains available

According to the official information page, the police's former bicycle passport app is no longer available. This does not mean that the bicycle passport has been discontinued. The police still provides a PDF template that can be printed and completed by hand. Existing data from an old app should therefore be transferred to a permanently accessible format.

A personal note can provide additional information, but does not necessarily replace the structured template. The passport helps ensure that important fields are not forgotten. Check it after modifications, color changes, or replacing distinctive components, and take new photos.

How to prepare for a coding appointment

1. Check the appointment and coding method offered with the ADFC, police, or local organization.
2. Read the required documents; proof of identity and ownership is usually required.
3. Clarify the frame material, paint condition, and any manufacturer restrictions.
4. Remove accessories in the designated coding area only as instructed.
5. Bring the bicycle passport, frame number, and current contact details.
6. After the appointment, document the code, date, location, and receipt.

Requirements may vary by location. Some appointments require prior registration, while others offer several methods. Do not rely on an old event page. Confirm the time, cost, documents, and suitability for the specific bicycle directly with the current provider.

Distinguishing engraving, adhesive labels, and other methods

With engraving or needle coding, the code is deliberately applied to a suitable metal frame and then protected against corrosion. Other methods use a strongly adhesive label or a specific marking. Durability and material suitability vary.

Carbon frames and other sensitive or non-metallic constructions must not simply be engraved. Very thin-walled, unusually shaped, or manufacturer-excluded frames also require an alternative procedure. The coding provider must assess the material and intended location in advance. Unauthorized engraving can impair the structure, paintwork, warranty, or safety.

What an FEIN code can do

The owner identification number used by the ADFC combines regional and personal components in a standardized string. Authorized bodies can use it to derive information about the original owner without requiring a central product database solely for this purpose. The precise format and legibility should be handled by trained coding providers.

However, coding does not automatically prove the current owner in every situation. Moving, a change of name, or a sale can make the assignment more difficult. Therefore, the sales contract, handover document, and current bicycle pass remain important. If personal details change, ask the coding provider whether supplementary marking or documentation would be appropriate.

Record e-bike components separately

For a pedelec, the frame is documented as it is for a bicycle. In addition, the serial numbers of the battery, motor, display, and charger are helpful, provided they can be read safely without disassembly. Photograph type plates in full, but do not publish them. A battery may be replaceable; its number therefore does not replace the frame number.

Do not remove sealed covers or loosen motor screws for a photo. Whether the battery or other components can be coded separately depends on the local procedure and the surface. Do not use a self-invented stamped number or a label that covers warning, type, or approval information.

When selling the coded bicycle

A coded bicycle may be sold, but the change of ownership should be documented in writing. The ADFC explains the sale of a coded bicycle and provides handover guidance. A sales contract specifies the parties involved, date, price, frame number, code, and accessories handed over.

The buyer receives a copy of the relevant documentation; personal documents that are not part of the handover are removed. The seller keeps proof of the change of ownership. The new owner clarifies with a coding provider whether the old code will be supplemented or recoded. The code should not be ground off independently, as this could cause damage and raise suspicion of theft.

How to respond correctly after a theft

Report the theft to the police promptly and provide the frame number, coding details, photos, proof of purchase, and distinctive features. Notify any existing insurer within the deadline specified in the policy. Keep the case number and copies of the documents submitted. Publicly shared search notices should not contain sensitive identification or contract details.

Coding replaces neither a police report nor proof of ownership. Likewise, a tracking signal is not a call to take matters into your own hands. Share location information with the police and do not attempt to recover a suspected stolen bicycle yourself.

Combine coding with effective locking

Visible identification can make resale more difficult and improve the chances of recovery. However, it does not prevent a lock from being broken. Lock the frame to a fixed object with a suitable lock, secure a wheel as well if necessary, and choose a well-visible parking location. Easily removable components may be taken or should be secured additionally.

This article deals with documenting ownership. Lock types, locking technique, and insurance terms are separate considerations. In particular, check whether your insurance requires specific lock classes, ways of securing the bike, or proof.

Frequently asked questions

Is bicycle coding required by law?

No. It is a voluntary additional form of identification. The frame number, proof of purchase, and effective theft protection nevertheless remain important.

Can I have a carbon frame engraved?

Not without explicit approval for the material. Non-invasive alternatives are generally required for carbon; the coding center will inspect the specific bicycle.

Is the police bicycle pass app still available?

No, the official information page indicates that the app has been discontinued. The paper bicycle pass is still available as a PDF.

Is coding sufficient for insurance purposes?

Not automatically. Insurers may require proof of purchase, proof of the lock, a police report, and additional documents. Check your policy and document all details separately.

As of September 6, 2026. The guidance issued by the responsible police authority and the coding provider, as well as the terms of any existing insurance policy, shall apply.