How can I prove ownership of my bike?

J

Joe M

New member
My bike got impounded because the police thought it was abandoned... Now to get it back, I have to prove that it's mine but I don't have a receipt or anything since i bought it off of a friend... The bike is fairly new so there really isn't anything that distinguishes it from other bikes of the same brand/model.

Do you think if I could tell the police the location of where the bike was when I parked it, that would be enough evidence?
 
If you get the bike back, or if you get a bike in the future most Police Departments will engrave a number on the bike identifying it as yours. It helps also in returning stolen bikes to their rightful owner. When you get a car most police departments will etch the VIN number on all the windows. Both services are free of charge.
 
Well, in your case I would check to see if you have any pictures of yourself with the bike. If the bike had a lock on it you can prove ownership by showing you know the combination. Contact your friend and see if he can provide you a bill of sale or a receipt. Have an adult accompany you when you go to sort this out.

In the future it would be a good idea to have the serial number of your bike handy. (it is etched on the bottom of the frame near the petal housing)

Good Luck.
 
I do not know your age, but you should take a parent with you and the friend you bought it from, if he/she is available. You did not commit a crime; yes, you need to work fast to get your bike back...it is your bike! You can tell the police the location and also I am sure your family can offer their testimony of the truth about the bike's owner. If you have problems, contact small claims court and ask the court what steps you need to take to file a form to take the officer to court in order to get back ownership of your bike. He took your bike. I do not know anything about bike abandonment laws if you are telling a true story, so if there is a law, then you need to settle this dispute in a court.
 
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