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File #: 21-178    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Staff Report Status: Passed
File created: 3/23/2021 In control: Council
On agenda: 4/12/2021 Final action: 4/12/2021
Title: Project 529 Garage - Bicycle Registry
Attachments: 1. Email - Project 529 Garage Bike Theft Prevention
REQUEST FOR DECISION

DATE: April 1st, 2021 Report No. CSS-21-009
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Blair McDonald, Director of Community Safety Services
SUBJECT:

Title
Project 529 Garage - Bicycle Registry
End

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommendation
That the Township of Esquimalt does not take steps to become a branded registry or designated registration location for Project 529 Garage as outlined in Staff Report No. CSS-21-009.
Body

RELEVANT POLICY:

No relevant policy or legislation exists

STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:

This request for decision is not tied to any goals or priorities of current work program

BACKGROUND:

In early March, Township staff received a letter advising that VicPD will no longer be registering bicycles, opting instead to support the use of 529 Garage. (Attachment #1). In the letter, Chief Manak advises that VicPD has elected not to become a registration location due to COVID-19, staffing limitations and the ease of self-registration. The letter goes on to state there are four registration locations within the boundaries of Victoria which sell "Bike Shields" and that shields are available through online retailers.

VicPD statistics show that the rate of reported bicycle thefts in the Township have been falling in recent years.

Year
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Grand Total
Bike Theft over $5000|1010101010101010|Bike Theft under $5000
36
31
28
28
21|1010|145
Grand Total
37
31
28
28
22|1010|148


Information from the 529 Garage website advises that they are a community watch for bicycles. They are an online registration hub on which people can self-register their bicycles free of charge, including uploading photographs and other information by using a computer or smartphone app. 529 Garage also sells "Bike Shields" which are a tamper resistant sticker that users can place on their bicycles as a visual deterrent, indicating the bike is registered with 529 Garage. There is no requirement to purchase th...

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