Online reporting snapshot
- • 15-20 minutes: Average time to complete online report
- • 24-48 hours: Official report approval time
- • 40+ cities: Now offer some form of online reporting
- • CopLogic: Most common reporting platform
- • 63% of victims skip reporting—online makes it easier
Waiting hours at a police station to report your stolen bike? That's the past. Today, over 40 US cities let you file bike theft reports online, getting you a case number in minutes instead of hours. Here's your complete guide to navigating these systems.
Why online reporting matters
With 2.4 million bikes stolen annually but only 175,200 reported, the convenience of online reporting could dramatically improve these numbers. Research shows victims skip reporting due to:
- Long wait times at police stations
- Inconvenient hours for working people
- Perception that police won't help anyway
- Hassle outweighs bike value
Online reporting removes these barriers, allowing 24/7 filing from anywhere with internet access.
Cities with online bike theft reporting
Major city online reporting systems
✅ Full online reporting available
San Francisco
- • System: CopLogic
- • E-bikes: Only without serial #
- • Response: 24 hours
Seattle
- • Bikes under $500 only
- • Over $500: Call (206) 625-5011
- • Immediate temp number
Portland
- • Bikes under $10,000
- • No suspects required
- • Call 311 for help
San Jose
- • System: CopLogic
- • Insurance reports available
- • All bike values
⚠️ Limited online reporting
New York City
- • Online system exists
- • Bike theft unclear
- • May require phone/visit
Chicago
- • I-CLEAR system
- • Property crimes included
- • Check eligibility first
Los Angeles
- • LAPD online portal
- • Limited availability
- • Often requires visit
Denver
- • Online reporting exists
- • Specific criteria apply
- • Check eligibility
📱 Other cities with CopLogic
Eligibility requirements
Before starting your online report, verify you meet these common requirements:
You CAN file online if:
- • No known suspects or descriptions
- • No injuries occurred
- • You're 18 or older
- • Theft occurred in that city
- • You have internet and email
- • Bike value meets city limits
- • Not an emergency situation
You CANNOT file online if:
- • You saw or can describe the thief
- • Security footage exists
- • Anyone was injured
- • You're under 18
- • Theft involved violence/threats
- • Multiple crimes occurred
- • You need immediate police response
Step-by-step: Filing your online report
Online reporting process
Step 1: Prepare your information
- • Bike serial number (if known)
- • Make, model, color, size
- • Purchase price and date
- • Exact theft location and time
- • Photos of your bike
- • Lock type that was defeated
Step 2: Access your city's system
- • Search "[city] police online report"
- • Look for CopLogic or similar link
- • Disable pop-up blockers
- • Use desktop for best experience
Step 3: Complete the form
- • Select "Bicycle Theft" or "Property Theft"
- • Enter personal information
- • Describe theft circumstances
- • Provide bike details
- • Upload photos if possible
Step 4: Submit and save
- • Review all information
- • Submit report
- • Note temporary case number
- • Print/save confirmation
- • Check email for updates
What happens after submission
- Immediate: Temporary transaction/case number issued
- 24-48 hours: Report reviewed by police staff
- If approved: Official police report number emailed
- If rejected: Instructions to file in person
- Database entry: Bike details added to stolen property system
Important: The temporary number is NOT official. Wait for the approved report number before filing insurance claims.
Common technical issues and solutions
Technical troubleshooting
Pop-up blocker issues
Disable blockers in browser settings before starting
Form won't submit
Clear cache, try different browser (Chrome/Firefox recommended)
Mobile problems
Use desktop if possible; ensure JavaScript enabled on mobile
Session timeout
Complete within 30 minutes; save progress if possible
No confirmation email
Check spam; contact non-emergency line after 72 hours
City-specific tips
San Francisco
- E-bikes only reportable online if missing serial number
- Use 311 for assistance
- SFPD uses CopLogic system
- High bike theft area—report quickly
Seattle
- $500 value limit for online reporting
- Higher values must call (206) 625-5011
- Register with Bike Index after reporting
- Check with King County Sheriff if outside city limits
Portland
- $10,000 limit—covers most bikes
- System expanded in 2020 for bike theft
- Known for low police response—use community resources too
- BikePortland.org maintains stolen bike listings
When online reporting isn't enough
File in person or by phone instead when:
- High-value bikes: $2,000+ may get more attention in person
- Security footage: You have video of the theft
- Witness information: Someone saw the thief
- Pattern crimes: Multiple bikes stolen from same location
- Insurance requirements: Some insurers need official stamped reports
The data on online reporting effectiveness
Early data suggests online reporting could help address the massive underreporting problem:
- Cities with online systems see 15-20% more bike theft reports
- Average reporting time drops from 2 hours to 20 minutes
- More complete information provided (victims can gather details first)
- Higher satisfaction rates among victims
However, recovery rates remain low regardless of reporting method—the real benefit is documentation for insurance and crime statistics.
Beyond the police report
After filing online
Your online report is just step one. Maximize recovery chances with:
- 1. Register on Bike Index (free, 30% recovery rate)
- 2. Post in local Facebook bike groups
- 3. Alert area bike shops with photos
- 4. Monitor Craigslist/OfferUp daily
- 5. Contact insurance with case number
- 6. Check pawn shops weekly
The future of online reporting
More cities are adopting online systems as they recognize the benefits:
- Reduced staffing needs at stations
- Better data quality and completeness
- 24/7 availability for victims
- Integration with bike registries
- Automated pattern detection
Some cities are piloting photo upload features, GPS coordinate mapping, and direct integration with services like Bike Index for immediate stolen bike alerts.
Take action now
If your city offers online reporting, use it. The convenience removes excuses for not reporting, and every report helps build the case for better bike theft prevention resources. Yes, police recovery rates remain dismal at 2%, but that's still better than the 0% chance if you don't report.
More importantly, online reporting gets you the case number needed for insurance claims and provides the documentation trail that might help if your bike surfaces months later.
Start your online report
Found your city has online reporting? File now while details are fresh. Need more help with the recovery process?