[walrus01]

I don't see where I said anything disparaging bikeindex, it certainly can't hurt to register a bike or search on both sites. My comment was a one person sample size anecdote of what I've commonly seen used on the west coast.

[softbuilder]

> it seems to be generally the same idea as 529 garage which is much more commonly used in BC/WA/OR/CA.

This read (to me) as "sure, but the REAL thing is over here", stated as authoritative fact, not a one person sample size anecdote.

[walrus01]

interestingly both sites want to claim to be the single authoritative source of data, and place to register and search for stolen bikes, but the "market" for such online services is really split between the two... or maybe there's a 3rd online bike registry I'm totally unaware of as well?

from the bikeindex faq (https://bikeindex.org/help):

=====

Right now people with good intentions buy stolen bikes because there isn't a single searchable, simple resource to check before buying a bike.

Bike Index is that resource. The next time you buy a used bike, check the Index first.

=====

529 garage also would seem to present as if it is the only source of data...

https://project529.com/garage/faq/en/

in reality I think the data is split between the two sites. My bike is registered on 529, this has provided motivation to me to also submit the same photos/data to bikeindex for a belt and suspenders type approach.

[jvolkman]

Didn't think I'd be spending part of my Saturday reading about drama in the world of bike tracking, but -

According to this page, project529 uses bikeindex's stolen bike reports in its own listings, but doesn't share its data with bikeindex.

https://bicyclesecurityadvisors.com/protect-your-bike/index-...

[walrus01]

I was surprised by the table showing 177,000 listings for one and 700,000 listings in the other.

Ideally they could both share data and mirror each other for both registrations and stolen bike listings, for the most effective use by people who may be unaware of the other entity.