Chicago-Grand area resident says "Register your bike"

Steve Shepherd was registering his current bike in Smith Park during the 12th Police District's CAPS (Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy) bike registration day and told the story about the "loss" of his previous bike, giving words of advice. 

Shepherd, a Chicago-Grand area resident, explained why registering your bike is a good idea, "It was down at Water Tower. You know how people lock their bike and take their seat or tire or both? Well, I just locked my bike, leaving everything on it. When I got back 20 minutes later, the only thing left was...the lock!" 

The moral of the story is "take at least part of your bike with you and be sure to register your bike with the Chicago Police Department." 

Officer Gracie Ramirez, 12th District, explained that if there is not a registration number on the bike, they can engrave an identifier on the bike during their on site registration. 

Not only did Shepherd register his bike with the hope that if he ever "loses" this one, there is a chance he could get it back but he also received some giveaways. 

Two young biking enthusiasts were with their dad, Booker Whitt. They were all about checking out the giveaway goodies. There were reflectors, locks and other interesting things but Mateo wanted to test out a helmet, particularly because his older brother was doing the same.

Aside from the camaraderie of talking with other cyclists and local officers, registering your bike at such an event gives bicyclists a chance to receive a quality lock or helmet and other goodies including a Secretary Of State Rules of the Road manual. 

A fourth registration date has just been added to the two previously announced upcoming 12th District CAPS Bike Registration events:

All three are between  10 a.m. to noon.

Registration can also be done online at the Chicago Police Department ClearPath website. If you are not registered on the site, you will first have to register before registering your bike(s).