SANTA CRUZ >> The Santa Cruz Police Department is taking bicycle recovery into the 21st century with a new online bike registration system.

The new online registration system, which is free and does not expire, allows bicycle owners to register their bikes with the police department without having to leave their home.

“The primary reason to register a bike is that you can prove it’s yours,” said Joyce Blaschke, spokeswoman for the Santa Cruz Police Department.

Blaschke said the Santa Cruz Police Department recovers hundreds of bikes yearly, but many are not registered making it difficult to return the bikes to the rightful owners.

After completing the online registration, a bicycle license sticker will be sent to the owner by mail. The sticker will have a serial number printed on it and should be placed on the bicycle’s frame.

The serial number will function as a tracking code to help police locate the bicycle if it lost or stolen.

The Santa Cruz Police Department will keep the bicycle registration information on file, Blaschke said.

According to the Santa Cruz Police Department Blog, bicycle thefts are on the rise. From 2014 to 2015, bicycle thefts increased by 19 percent. This year, 155 bikes have been stolen, about a third of the total bike thefts from the previous year.

“Bicycle theft in our community is an issue that we take very seriously and the online registration will serve as a valuable tool for our community,” said Blaschke.

Local bicycle shops will be able to complete the online registration and apply the license stickers for bike owners.

“Our store will be registering the bicycles at the time of purchase for our customers,” said Daniel Strawn, owner of Pacific Ave Cycles in Santa Cruz.

“We will also be advising all other customers with their own bicycle to go online and register them,” Strawn said.

In addition to increasing the likelihood of returning bikes to their proper owners, Blaschke said the online registration will also make it easier to file charges against the person in possession of the stolen bike.

Since the registration never expires, owners only have to register their bicycles once.

“Even if an owner moves, the Santa Cruz Police Department will still be able to provide ownership information on the bicycle,” Blaschke said.

Blaschke said the response from the community and local bike shops has been positive.

“Everyone is encouraged to register their bikes to help deter theft and to assist officers should an owner’s bicycle be stolen or lost,” Blaschke said.

Bike registration form

To register your bike, visit cityofsantacruz.com.