In cooperation with the Frankfurt-based company CODE-No.com, carbon specialist CIRCLE is the first bicycle brand to offer a unique opportunity to protect CIRCLE bikes against theft by registering them online free of charge. A code number integrated into the frame (CIRCLE frame number) is used to uniquely identify the bike and its owner: anonymously and at any time at www.CODE-No.com
Currently, around 350,000 bicycle thefts are reported in Germany every year. The number of unreported bicycle thefts is significantly higher. However, very few thefts can be solved because the bicycles cannot be traced back to the owner or stolen goods cannot be identified as such. In the German bicycle capital of Münster, the detection rate for bicycle thefts in 2008 was only 6.26 per cent.
CIRCLE offers an innovative solution to this problem with the CODE-No.com coding system. "A registered CODE number creates a unique relationship between the owner and their CIRCLE bike," says Dr Markus J. Krechting, founder and CEO of CODE-No.com. "We believe that by cooperating with CIRCLE, we will prevent the theft of CIRCLE bikes and at the same time increase the detection rate of stolen CIRCLE bikes."
Before purchasing a "used" CIRCLE, you can click on the "Check CODE number" button on the CODE-No.com website to find out within seconds whether the CIRCLE has been reported as stolen or released for sale. This function enables CODE-No.com and CIRCLE to warn against stolen goods and protect against fraud.
In addition, registered CIRCLE bikes can be easily and anonymously returned to the owner if they are found. If a finder contacts CODE-No.com via the Internet, the company takes care of the entire return process. CODE-No.com only charges the owner the transport costs incurred for the anonymous return transport between the finder and the owner. CODE-No.com does not charge a service or handling surcharge.
The coding of a CIRCLE bike ex works makes subsequent coding unnecessary. Subsequent engraving is not even possible on high-quality bikes made of thin-walled aluminium or carbon fibre materials.
To be able to use the CODE-No.com service, the CIRCLE customer only needs to register the CODE number (CIRCLE frame number) at www.CODE-No.com. The owner remains anonymous at all times. The anonymity of the owner is always guaranteed.
An additional sticker on the frame also draws attention to the bike's coding. The next CIRCLE bikes and frames delivered will be supplied with a corresponding bike sticker including instructions.
