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BICYCLE REGISTRATION

Register your bicycle and receive the benefits of a City of Madison Bicycle registration (see below for more reasons!):

  • Theft Deterrence
  • Bicycle Identification in Case of Theft
  • Rider Identification in Case of Accident
  • Independent Proof of Ownership for insurance claims
  • Helps with Bicycle Planning

A Four-Year Bicycle Registration costs only $10.00 and is a good way to help protect your important means of transportation, recreation and exercise.

How to Register:

  • You Can Register or Renew online at www.madisonpay.com
  • You Can Register By Mail.  Click here to download a printable Registration form or call (608)266-4474 to request an application be mailed.
  • You Can Register In Person: If you need a registration immediately, you may register your bicycle in person at any Madison store selling bicycles, or at the Treasurer's Office in the City County Building, 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Room 107

Register Your Child's Bike:
Most children do not carry identification. What would happen if you child is involved in a bicycle accident? It could take hours for emergency personnel to make positive identification and contact a parent. If your child's bicycle is registered, you can be contacted quickly. Do your child and yourself a favor -- register your children's bicycles today.

Registration is required by Law:
City of Madison Ordinance 12.78(2) requires all bicycles used by Madison residents to be registered. Failure to do so could result in a fine and fees of around $50.
City of Madison Ordinance 12.78(2)(d) requires bicycle dealers to register bicycles at time of sale.

UW requires faculty, staff, and students to register their bicycles:
The UW requires all bicycles on campus to be registered with the City of Madison. The City is cooperating with UW Transportation Services to provide this service to the UW. The money paid for registrations purchased through the UW will go towards bicycle safety and enforcement on the UW campus. For more information, call 263-1034.

I need to change my address or transfer of ownership:

Bicycle Theft Facts:

  • Your chance of recovering a stolen bicycle without record of serial number or a registration is close to zero according to the Madison Police Department.
  • Over $300,000 worth of bicycles are stolen in Madison each year. Bicycle thefts in Madison accounted for over two million dollars in loss over the past five years.

Questions?
Contact:
City Bicycle Registration Coordinator, City of Madison Department of Transportation, PO Box 2986, Madison, WI 53701-2986 or call at: (608) 266-4474 or email: bikereg@cityofmadison.com

Why Register a Bike?
Here are a few good reasons:

  1. Bicycle Identification: If a bike is stolen from the street, a car or home, the owner needs the serial number to report the theft to the police. Most people don't keep this number handy. However, when a bicycle is registered the police can recall information quickly from the computer. The registration records are cross-referenced by name as well as by serial number and registration number.
  2. Theft Deterrence: Thieves are less likely to steal a registered bike since its owner can easily be identified. Theft reports in Madison's computer are also posted on statewide and national crime computers. Bicycles can be recovered anywhere in the US and traced back to you.
  3. Recovered Bikes Returned to Owners: Registering your bike greatly increases the likelihood it will be returned to you if recovered. Bicycles that are registered have a much greater chance of being returned to you if they are lost or stolen and then recovered; bicycles that are not registered have a limited chance of being returned to you if they are recovered.
  4. Identification of Rider: Bicycle Registration also aids in the identification of the bicycle owner in case of accident. Many bicyclists don't carry identification with them--this is especially true for children.
  5. Registration Helps With Planning: Bicycle Registration also provides valuable data to City planners, which helps in the design of facilities and educational programs aimed at making bicycling safer in Madison.
  6. Registration Is The Law: Although the City of Madison does not wish to stress this point as the major focus of the program, Madison City Ordinance 12.78(1) requires all bicycles used by Madison residents to be registered. Bicycles must be registered with the City of Madison, unless they have a current registration in another municipality.