My Bike Was Stolen — What To Do Now
The first hour matters more than any other. Here's exactly what to do, in order — whether your bike was already registered or not.
Report it to the police
File a report with your local police — even if you think they won't actively chase it down. You need the report number for insurance, and it puts your bike's description on record if it turns up in a raid or a pawn-shop check. Have your serial number ready, give an exact description (brand, model, colour, any stickers or damage), and note the last place and time you definitely saw it.
Mark it stolen on SpokeID
If the bike was already registered, mark it stolen from your Garage — this instantly flags the serial number on the free public checker, so anyone buying it secondhand sees it immediately. If it wasn't registered yet, create a free account and log it now — a late report is still far better than none, especially if you have the serial number from a receipt or photo.
Let your area know
SpokeID emails everyone nearby who's opted into stolen-bike alerts the moment a theft is reported close to them. Also post in local cycling Facebook groups, community subreddits, and neighbourhood apps — the more eyes looking, the better.
Check your tracker, if you have one
If you had an AirTag or Tile on the bike, open Find My or the Tile app now and check its last known location — often the single most useful lead you'll get.
Watch the secondhand markets
Check Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, eBay, and local pawn/cash-converter shops for your bike's brand and model over the following days and weeks — save a search where you can so new listings notify you automatically.
Register your next bike before anything happens
When you get a replacement, register it on SpokeID before anything happens to it — a serial number, a couple of photos, and proof of ownership on file takes a few minutes and means you're not starting from zero if it's ever needed again.