Prince George RCMP and volunteers will be out registering bicycles at various events throughout this riding season.

The RCMP will continue their partnership with the digital bike registration, reporting and recovering network, 529 Garage.

This initiative works as a way to combat bike theft buy returning stolen bikes to their owners.

Last year, PG saw a reduction in bike theft for the first time since 2013. This year, bike theft is slightly up and from January to the end of June, 71 bike thefts were reported. Of those, 34% were confirmed to be locked.

The Bike registration Crew will be at the following locations for the next two weeks:

• July 11,  5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – Canadian Tire store (parking lot)
• July 15, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Pidherney Enduro event, Pidherny Recreational area (parking lot at the top of Foothills Boulevard)
• July 15, 11 a.m.to 5 p.m. – Downtown Summerfest, Canada Games Plaza
• July 15, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Pidherney Pump Track Challenge, Pidherny Recreational area (parking lot at the top of Foothills Boulevard)
• July 21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Otway Recreational area

Registration is free and includes essential information such as the bikes serial number and photos.

In the event of theft, the information can be easily distributed to other registered riders through an alert on the app.

For each bike registered, the owner can enter for a chance to win a Narco Storm mountain bike. The draw will take place at the end of biking season.

RCMP are currently looking for volunteers to assist with the anti-theft initiative.

"We are working hard to provide the public with more opportunities to register their bikes," says Cpl. Craig Douglass, the officer leading this initiative. "In order to attend more events and locations, we need more volunteers."

Volunteers will be responsible for bike information and taking photos. Training is minimal and a Police Information Check is required at no cost.

To volunteer, contact Douglass at (250)561-3321.