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Bicycle theft is big business on college campuses nationwide. As the price for new bicycles increases each year, their resale value also increases. In recent years, more than 75% of owners who report their bicycles stolen to OUPD do not know the serial number stamped into the frame of their bicycle.
Most manufacturers stamp an individual serial number into each bicycle before they leave the factory. Serial numbers and specific descriptive information is crucial if police are to identify recovered bicycles and locate rightful owners.The OU Police Department and the Norman Police Department have joined forces to combat this problem. The dual-sponsored bicycle registration program is available to any bicycle owner who keeps or uses a bicycle in Norman or on the OU campus. This program takes only minutes to complete.
If you own a bicycle that is not registered in this program, you are encouraged to bring your bicycle and personal identifying information to one of the locations listed below.
If your bicycle is registered with another program or law enforcement agency outside the Norman area or the state of Oklahoma you are encouraged to register it with us anyway.Owner and bicycle information will be recorded and maintained in a computer database for future use if it is needed in the event of a theft. A tamper-resistant numbered registration sticker will be affixed to your bicycle frame making identification by police easier.
Registration is highly recommended, as it may be the only means of returning a stolen bicycle once it is recovered by police. With the recorded information police can make police departments nationwide aware that a particular bicycle is stolen.
How to Register:
Complete an official "Bicycle Registration" form at the time of registration. Owner and/or parent will be asked for verifiable identification. Your bicycle must have a permanent serial nubmer to be registered.
If you cannot find a number or if your number is only a sticker, please take your bicycle to the OU Police Department headquarters (2775 Monitor Avenue, on the OU South Campus) and we can stamp a number in for you.
Decals will be isued to the owner upon completion of the registration form, in person:
Cate Center Cafeteria Safewalk Office (next door to the Coordinator’s/RA’s Office) | — | Daily, 8pm to 2am |
| OU Police Department Headquarters 2775 Monitor Avenue Norman, Ok 73019-5021 | — | Monday through Friday, 10am-Noon and 1pm to 3:30pm |
- Registration is free.
- Owners must have their bike available to verify the serial number and other identifiers.
- A separate form is required for each bicycle to be registered. The registration does not expire. When a registered bike is sold, the new owner can bring a bill of sale to OUPD HQ to transfer the registration.
When you receive your
individually numbered decal:
- Be sure you put the decal on the proper bicycle. (For those who have more than one.)
- Clean the area to which the decal is to be applied. (See diagram, below, for recommended locations.)
- Apply the decal, and
- RIDE!
Registered bicycles stolen from the Norman area have been recovered nationwide as a result of this program which began more than thirty years ago.
If you have questions about bicycle registration please call OUPD at 325-2864, or send e-mail to Crime Prevention.
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the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma.
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Sponsor: OU Police Dept. — Developer: Richard Hamilton, OUPD
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