Portsmouth City Council is bringing free bicycle security marking events to north Portsmouth, with upcoming drop-in sessions in Cosham and Paulsgrove helping residents protect their bikes from theft through partnership with Hampshire Constabulary.
Following successful events in southern Portsmouth, the council is expanding its bike security programme to northern areas of the city. The initiative involves registering bicycles with Bike Register, a system that significantly improves the chances of recovering stolen bikes.
Two free events are scheduled for north Portsmouth residents:
- Thursday 10 July, 5pm-7pm – Paulsgrove, Allaway Avenue (outside Rowlands Pharmacy)
- Thursday 24 July, 5pm-7pm – Cosham High Street (near Iceland)
No advance booking is required, and marking is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
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The Bike Register system creates a unique reference number that links to the bicycle’s frame number. This identifier is then applied to the bike frame, with details stored on a secure online database accessible to all UK police forces. The registration process is straightforward and quick, giving owners a much better chance of being reunited with their bicycle if it’s stolen.
The council has scheduled multiple events throughout the year at various locations across Portsmouth:
- Saturday 31 May, 11am-1pm, Arundel Street, City Centre
- Saturday 28 June, 11am-1pm, Gunwharf Quays (outside Tesco Express)
- Thursday 10 July, 5pm-7pm, Paulsgrove, Allaway Avenue (outside Rowlands Pharmacy)
- Thursday 24 July, 5pm-7pm, Cosham High Street
Six independent Portsmouth cycle businesses are now offering free security marking services: Portsmouth Cycle Exchange, GC Bikes, CycleWorld, Pompey Cycle Hub, Cycle Trace and Cycles@Milton. Customers purchasing new or used bikes, or bringing cycles for servicing, can receive free marking with frame number registration.
The programme has demonstrated clear results, with more than 500 bicycles marked across 2022 and 2023. This has led to the successful recovery and return of several stolen bikes to their rightful owners, proving the effectiveness of the anti-theft measure.
Cllr Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport at Portsmouth City Council, said: “Getting people to have their bike registered and marked for free really works. It gives cyclists peace of mind and helps the police tackle the problem of bike theft, creating a better, safer cycling environment for everyone.”
The initiative supports the council’s broader goal of encouraging more residents to choose cycling over private vehicle use by creating a safer, more secure environment for cyclists.
Further information about cycle security in Portsmouth is available at the council’s website cycling section.
