Proven Results
In the fall of 2015, Vancouver, BC embraced 529 Garage, and got the whole community engaged! The result? A 30% decrease in bike theft in the first 2 years of using the 529 Garage service with a continuing downward trend. Bikes are being returned to their owners almost every day.
Like the bike that was returned to Roberta from Vernon, BC.
Roberta and her 72 year old mom were camping 20 minutes outside of town when thieves broke into her car and ransacked it overnight, taking her insurance papers and garage door opener. With those, they found her home and broke into the garage, stealing two bikes worth about $16,000 each.
Roberta cut her camping trip short and returned home the next morning, only to find the bikes and other property missing. She started an alert on 529 Garage and filed a police report.
A few days later, she received a tip from the 529 Garage that her bikes were listed on Facebook Marketplace. Within a few hours of talking to our VPD contact, the thief was in custody, and one of her bikes and stolen belongings were returned!
Fewer bikes stolen. More bikes returned. That's the impact of the 529 Garage.