Recovery stories
Every one of these bikes found its way home.
Behind each photo is a rider who thought it was gone for good, and someone who cared enough to check. A shop mechanic. A police officer. A stranger who remembered an alert. This is what a free, open registry makes possible, and it's kept free by people like you.
- bikes registered, free
- 1.8M+
- stolen bikes recovered
- 18,587
- value returned to owners
- $39M+
- partner shops, police departments, and cities
- 1,800+
In their own words
Every story here is shared by the person who got their bike back.
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A vet kind person bought my bike and then noticed the bike index sticker. They looked up my bike, noted it stolen, contacted me, and arranged a meetup. I offered to “buy” it back from them for the amount they had paid. We are so greatful for this chapter in this saga!
John Recovered 2025-09-20T18:00:00-0500 translated from English
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This experience taught me a lot, I didn’t know bikes had serial numbers, but thanks to Bike Index I’ll be much better prepared if something like this happens again.
Apellonia Recovered 2025-09-19T19:00:00-0500 translated from English
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The Police stopped someone with the bike and checked the serial number and since it was listed on Bike Index as stolen they got it.
Randy Recovered 2025-09-19T18:00:00-0500 translated from English
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Somebody saw the bike in a suspicious location, looked it up on Bike Index and contacted me. I went with the police and recovered the bike. Bike Index really works!
Greg Recovered 2025-09-19T17:00:00-0500 translated from English
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Someone looked up serial number on Bike Index and contacted me after purchasing the bike from the thief.
Justin Recovered 2025-09-19T03:00:00-0500 translated from English
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BIKE INDEX message + bravery + police! Thanks EVERYONE
Jonathan Recovered 2025-09-18T00:00:00-0500 translated from English
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Somebody bought it on facebook marketplace and then realized it had been stolen and returned it to me via Bike Index!
Piers Recovered 2025-09-17T23:00:00-0500 translated from English
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Another guy bought it from the thief and gave it back. He found me on Bike Index!
Apollo Recovered 2025-09-17T22:00:00-0500 translated from English
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Facebook bike recovery group for our community. A member saw it on a porch and immediately called the police and texted me.
Katie Recovered 2025-09-17T03:00:00-0500 translated from English
Somewhere tonight, a bike is being stolen. Help it come home.
Bike Index doesn't charge riders, sell data, or run ads. Every recovery on this page was powered by donors who keep registration, search, and stolen alerts free for everyone.
Fund the next recovery
Monthly support makes you a Bike Index member: marketplace listings, a member badge, and perks that grow as we build them. Tiers are $5, $15, and $50 a month.
What membership includes501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 81-4296194. Tax-deductible in the US. Bike Index is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 81-4296194. Your donation is tax-deductible in the US. Cancel a monthly gift any time.
Every story here started with a registration.
Takes about two minutes. It's free, forever.