Advocate
Bike Indianapolis works with city officials and other organizations to ensure that our public facilities are bicycle friendly. This includes bike lanes, bike trails, greenways and even bike parking.
We are actively involved with local groups including the Complete Streets Coalition, the Indianapolis Cycle Commuter Task Force and the Indianapolis Greenways Development Committee. In addition, we work with Bicycle Indiana on statewide initiatives that impact central Indiana bicycling and are active in national bicycle organizations including the League of American Bicyclists, People for Bikes and the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals.
We continue to advocate for better bicycle facilities and ordinances throughout central Indiana. If you have suggestions, please contact us.
Advocacy Committee
The Bike Indianapolis Advocacy Committee is made up of dedicated volunteers who are working to create a safer city for cyclists and all vulnerable road users through infrastructure, policy, and safety advocacy.
Current Projects:
Bike lights and safety Initiative
World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
Updated 2024 Bike Guide - Just finished and available now!
Past Projects:
Support for Vision Zero Petition
Trail Maintenance Petition
Parking in Bike Lane Flyers
Repainted Irvington bike racks
Bike lights distribution
Updated bike guides
Neighborhood bike rides.
Reported locations for new 25 mph speed limit signs
Tracked crashes
Interested in getting involved? Contact our Advocacy Committee Chair, Chris Holcomb at chris@bikeindianapolis.org
Resources
Bike Indianapolis is a part of a larger group of local, state, and national organizations working to improve bicycling throughout the United States. Our efforts in central Indiana are coordinated with these organizations:
State & Local Ordinances
Here is a list of some of the various bicycle-friendly laws and ordinances in Indiana:
Bike Theft Prevention
Bike Indianapolis has partnered with Bike Index to help you register, report and recover your bike should it get stolen. You should know that most stolen bicycles do not get recovered, so prevention is the most important step. With enough time, a determined bike thief will most likely succeed in taking your bike. You need to make your bike the hardest bike to steal.
Prevention
First, register your bike with Bike Index using the form below. This is a national database for bicycles. If you’re registered people can look up your bike and determine if it was stolen from you.
Then, spend some money on a high quality bike lock or at least one whose cost is proportional to how much you like your bike. Research has shown that heavy duty U-locks in combination with a heavy gauge chain work best. Do not lock your bike up with just a cable!
Always lock your bike to fixed objects like bike racks, signs (only after you checked that they can’t be pulled from the ground), parking meters, etc. Again, just make sure that these objects are firmly affixed to the ground.
Lock your bike in well-lit and well-travelled areas and if you consistently go to the same destination (think daily commute), don’t lock it up in the same location every day.
Find indoor secure bike parking if you can. Many buildings are offering bike parking rooms for tenants. Some offices allow employees to bring bikes inside. Public indoor parking like the Indy Bike Hub are beginning to appear as well as bike lockers.
Lock your wheels, especially if you have quick release skewers. You can also take the front wheel with you, and if you can only lock one wheel, make it the rear since they are more expensive to replace.
Write your name or initials on the frame with a Sharpie and cover it with several layers of packing tape. A thief can remove the tape and marker but it will take some time and they want a bike they can sell quickly & easily.
Take photographs and save them somewhere safe (i.e. Bike Index.)
You and your bike
Of anything special about your bike
The serial number which is located on the bottom bracket shell (the area underneath your bike where your pedals/crank arms meet). If you can’t find the serial number of your bike ask your bike shop to help. Often they keep records and can tell you. At the least they can help you look for it (it’s not always on the bottom bracket.)
Report
It is important for you to file a police report quickly so you can get your bike back if it’s found. The more documentation you have, the better your chances of getting to ride your bike again.
Gather your important bike info
Serial number
Receipt, if purchased new or used at a shop
Photographs, if you have them
File a police report using the non-emergency number. In Indianapolis, the number is 317-327-3811.
Mark you bike as stolen in Bike Index.
Follow @StolenBikesIndy. Most of the local bike shops, pawn shops, law enforcement agencies, and anyone interested will be following this Twitter feed as well.
Recovery
Check the @StolenBikesIndy to see if anyone has responded.
Check Craig’s List & Ebay to see if the thief has listed your bike. If you find it, contact law enforcement. Do not try to recover the bike on your own.
Fill out the form below and make several copies. Keep one at home (with pics), roll up one and place inside handlebars and finally, slide one in your seatpost. This will help identify your bike if it is ever stolen and you or the police find it.
So I found my bike…Now what?
If it is returned to you, please notify the police and cancel your report. It wouldn’t be good if you get pulled over for riding your own bike and don’t have the documentation to prove it is yours. Also go the Bike Index site and change the status from stolen.
If you see someone riding your bike, be careful if you decide to approach the person. He (yes most bike thieves are male) could become violent. You should call the police if the situation allows, but be sure you have the documentation to prove that it is your bike.