Bike shops
Do I need to register my bike in Madison?
A common question, answered by the MadisonWI.com editors · November 12, 2026
1 answer
From MadisonWI.com
No. The City of Madison says there is no mandatory bike registration. It ended its own registration requirement on January 5, 2021, and no longer accepts new City registrations. The City still encourages owners to register with a national program, which can help with recovery if a bike is stolen. Registering is free with Bike Index (bikeindex.org) or Project 529 (project529.com/garage); a registration decal costs extra from those companies. Have your serial number ready, usually on the frame, plus the manufacturer and model name. For information about an old City registration, contact the City's Pedestrian Bicycle Program at 608-242-4767. This covers the City of Madison only; other communities may differ. Source: City of Madison, Bicycle Registration (checked November 2026).
Written by the MadisonWI.com editors · November 12, 2026