Bicycle theft and poor riding etiquette are serious problems that we, as citizens, have the power to overcome when we work together.  The same applies to everything we do in our interactions with others.  Creating safer trails and parks is everyone's responsibility, and there is a lot we can do as individuals. Spending time in community service is only a start.

 

I created the National Bicycle Theft Registry to serve my country, to give others the opportunity to serve, to compliment our local law enforcement agencies (so that they may focus on their primary mission), and to create a safer environment for bicyclists and recreationalists when using our public trails and parks. - Stacy Hall, CEO/CEE NextGen CGI, LLC

 

This page introduces the various volunteer opportunities the National Bicycle Theft Registry has to offer. Please join me by volunteering today.

The National Bicycle Theft Registry offers a nationalized Trails & Parks Ambassador and a Safety & Awareness Citizen Patrol program, for citizens to volunteer.

The minimum requirements to become a volunteer are as follows:

1. Must have a valid email address able to receive messages from the National Bicycle Theft Registry.
2. Age restrictions apply.  Scroll down to the program of interest for more information.
3. Must be a legal citizen where you reside.
4. Must possess a valid state identification card or driver's license from their state of residency.
5. Must be supportive of, and in good standing with, law enforcement.
6. Must be comfortable working with police.
7. Must be able to comply with all program directives.
8. May not carry or possess weapons of any kind while in volunteer service.
9. Volunteers must possess a valid NBTR identification card while in volunteer service, and must provide a copy to anyone requesting the same.
10. Volunteers must have the ability to cover the cost associated with printing their identification business cards (1000 cnt).
11. While in service, volunteers must be in uniform and agree to represent only the interests of the program and nothing more.
12. Ambassador and Bike Patrol volunteers must have the ability to purchase their own uniforms and identification business cards (estimated $77).
13. Patrol volunteers must have the ability to equip their bicycle in accordance to our equipment specifications (estimated $100).
14. You must have a working smartphone.
15. Misdemeanor or felony convictions DO NOT preclude your opportunity to serve.  Restrictions do apply.
16. Additional qualifications may apply, as determined by the County Coordinator where the volunteer is serving.

We also offer Moderators, Merchants' Aware, and Law Enforcement membership portals for registered members, business owners, and active duty or retired law enforcement officers.

Moderators have elevated access to the registry database, with the ability to modify posts. To volunteer as a Moderator, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. You be at least 18 years of age.
2. You must have a valid email address able to receive messages from the National Bicycle Theft Registry.
3. You must have a working landline or cellphone.
4. You must have desktop or laptop computer that is connected to the Internet.
5. You must be in good standing and have a working relationship with your local law enforcement agencies, with the ability to call to verify whether a bicycle theft police report exists.
6. You must be able to login and dedicate at least 8 hours per month.

Trails & Parks Ambassadors take a friendly approach at educating the public into trails & parks safety and awareness. They also serve as the eyes and ears for law enforcement, helping to free their time so they can focus more on their primary purpose. To become a Trails & Parks Ambassador, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Must be at least 16 years of age.  Persons ages 16 or 17 must have parental/guardian consent.
2. Must be able to volunteer at least 8 hours of time per calendar month.
3. Must be pleasant, kind, inviting, and outgoing.
4. Must have the ability to walk at least 2 continuous hours unaided and without exasperating a medical condition.
5. Must have the ability to recognize, understand, and report suspicious activity.
6. Must not have had any criminal conviction(s) within the past ten (10) years, or a misdemeanor conviction within the past three (3) years, from the date of the last conviction.
7. Must not have any record of violent, sexual, or drug related conduct.
8. Applicants under supervision must seek written consent.

Our Safety & Awareness Bicycle Patrol program uses a high-visibility approach to deter crime and dangerous activity, by plainly making themselves known as the eyes and ears for law enforcement. Equipped with high-tech tools such as a 720-degree HD digital Wi-Fi camera, high luminosity safety lights (three on front and two on back), bicycle alarm and horn, a tail light with directional signaling, rearview mirror and cellular uplink, together with a specially designed uniform, the mere presence of these patrol volunteers strike fear in would-be offenders while leaving law abiding recreationalists to feel safe. When patrol volunteers spot criminal or dangerous activity they assist law enforcement by taking on the role of their eyes and ears.

Because of the nature of this program and high level of personal responsibility that it requires, you must meet the following minimum requirements before your application can be accepted.

1. Must be at least 21 years of age.
2. Must be able to volunteer at least 16 hours of time per calendar month.
3. Must have a working smartphone and a Google account.
4. Must have the wherewithal to assemble, store and maintain a patrol bicycle.
5. Must have the ability to ride for at least 4 continuous hours, unaided and without exasperating a medical condition.
6. Must have the ability to recognize, understand, and accurately report suspicious activity.
7. Must not possess a weapon of any kind while in service.
8. Must always keep at a distance (at least 300 feet) from suspicious activity and never approach or intervene unless to provide life-saving medical aid that does not endager personal safety.
9. Volunteer service may include recording an accident scene and providing traffic control until first responders arrive.
10. Must not have had any criminal conviction(s) within the past ten (10) years, or a misdemeanor conviction within the past three (3) years, from the date of the last conviction.
11. Must not have any record of violent, sexual, or drug related conduct.
12. Must review all material available at the C.O.P.S. training portal (https://copstrainingportal.org/).
13. Must be in good standing with their local law enforcement agencies.

The Safety & Awareness Bicycle Patrol program is currently being piloted in Boulder, Castle Rock, and Denver, Colorado. Once we have a good sense of the safety and security issues involved, we will open the program for volunteer registration.

Our Merchants' Aware portal is designed for business owners who buy and sell used bicycles and bicycle parts. The program provides merchants with additional tools to track and monitor stolen and abandoned bikes, as well as access to our convicted bicycle thieves registry. Using our Merchants' Aware program, businesses are able to quickly verify whether or not a bicycle is listed in the registry, add bicycles to the registry, and/or manage abandoned bicycles that are sold after being found. Many other tools make our Merchants' Aware program worth the business owner's time.

Active-duty law enforcement officials are provided with elevated access to the registry, along with statistically data analysis designed to aid and assist in investigations and the effort to reduce crime. Participating law enforcement officials are also given access to publish profiles of convicted bicycle thieves (for participating merchants only) and send SMS/Email public announcements to merchants and/or subscribers within their jurisdiction.

Members of the law enforcement community wishing to join must meet the following minimum requirements.

1. Must be at least 21 years of age or older.
2. Must be an active duty or tired member of a state or federal law enforcement agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Justice.
3. Access to the registry through the law enforcement portal is limited to one account per agency.
4. Active duty officers accessing the portal must have supervisory approval to participate.

Participating members of law enforcement are granted administrative access to the registry database.  This includes the abandoned bicycle registry that is restricted to authorized users only.  Administrative access also allows law enforcement to add, modify, suspend, or delete records generated by citizens within their jurisdiction; and provides access to communication tools connecting them directly with the bicycle community within their jurisdiction.  Some minimum restrictions apply.

1. Only posts containing patently false and misleading information may be suspended, modified, or deleted from the registry.
2. Only volunteers who violate the terms, conditions, and directives of the program may be relieved from service.
3. Must have reasonable suspicion of criminal intent before banning any subscriber.
4. May only use the mass messaging system for official police bulletins.
5. All material designated as "Confidential" may not be disclosed to the public. This generally includes abandoned bicycle reports.