Can you steal back your stolen bike?

It's a nightmare for every cyclist: your bike gets stolen. And then, after a few weeks, you suddenly see him standing in the street, secured with another lock. The urge to take back your bike immediately is understandable, but is that allowed?

Is it legal to take back your bike?

While it may feel fair to take back your stolen bike, it's not that simple from a legal point of view. If you decide to simply take the bike with you, you commit theft yourself. By law, a movable property — such as a bicycle — is owned by the current owner, even if they unknowingly purchased the bike through a healer. This means that stealing your bike back without permission is punishable.

But isn't it my bike?

Yes, if your bike is stolen, you are entitled to a return. But this must be arranged by the police. If you call in the police and have reported the theft, the police can investigate how the new owner got the bike. If it appears that the bike was purchased via healing, you are entitled to a return. However, the new owner may have unknowingly bought the bike and would not have committed a criminal offence.

What do you need to do?

The most important thing is to always report bicycle theft. With a report, you are stronger when you see your bike again. The police can investigate whether the bike was actually stolen and whether the new owner purchased the bike in good faith. Under no circumstances should you bring the bike yourself, but call in the police to get your property back legally.

Conclusion: Do you see your stolen bike parked on the street? Don't just take him with you, but call the police and make sure you've reported it. This prevents you from getting into trouble and increases the chances of getting your bike back legally. With BIKEBAZE, you also have extra proof that the bike is yours. Our SafeTags are linked to your name and bike, helping to show that it's yours. Do you have a bike that is not registered yet? Register him directly via our shop and increase the chances of finding him again!