Bicycle Safety and Registration

The Naperville Police Department’s Community Education/Crime Prevention Unit reminds residents to lock up their bicycles and register the make, model and serial number of their bicycles with the Naperville Police Department.

Numerous bicycle thefts and recoveries are reported each year, with most bicycles taken from an open or unlocked garage or from the owner’s driveway, front or side yard. The majority of the bicycles are not registered, which results in only a few recovered bicycles being matched to a stolen bicycle report and returned to the owner. 

Register your bike

To register your bike, simply email a completed Bike Registration Form (PDF) to NPDRecords@naperville.il.us or mail it to the Naperville Police Department, 1350 Aurora Ave., Naperville, IL 60540.

Bicycle Safety

The Naperville Police Department reminds all bicyclists to obey all of the traffic signs and rules of the road required by law as they apply to bicycles, do not wear head-sets while riding, maintain bicycles with proper air inflated in tires and always wear a helmet! Here are a few more bicycle safety recommendations:

  • Wear a bike helmet at all times. Wearing a bike helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by 85 percent.
  • Keep your bike in good working condition. Be sure tires are properly inflated, brakes work, and the chain is well oiled
  • Ride single file
  • Always yield to pedestrians and walk your bike on school property
  • Slow down and check traffic at all corners and intersections
  • Walk the bike across intersections/streets
  • Keep both hands on the handle bars except when indicating turn signals
  • Stay off busy streets
  • Have a headlight on your bike when riding at night, as well as, rear and wheel reflectors
  • Wear light colored and/or reflective clothing while riding
  • Only one person on the bike with no stunt riding
  • Do not carry packages or bundles when riding
  • No hitching rides from cars
  • Do not wear headsets/earbuds while riding

Invest in a Good Lock

By purchasing a good lock that will secure both the frame and wheels to a bicycle rack, the owner is making an investment in protecting their bicycle. Many stolen bicycles are never reported or registered with the Naperville Police so the owner cannot be traced. As Naperville continues to expand the scenic bicycle trails throughout the City, remember to bring a lock for even a short stop for a refreshment break. 

  • Invest in a good locking system that will secure both wheels and the frame.
  • Each bicycle should be locked to an immovable object such as a lamp pole or bicycle rack in an open and well-lit area.
  • Don’t lock your bicycle to small tree, aluminum or wooden post or chain link fence. These can be cut or broken.
  • Don’t lock a bicycle to itself (front wheel locked to the frame). A thief can simply carry it away.
  • A recommended bicycle locking device consists of a three-foot length of 1/4-inch hardened chain together with a keyed type padlock of high quality having at least a 7/16-inch hardened alloy steel shackle. The word “hardened” should be stamped on the shackle.
  • Although there is no bicycle lock or chain that cannot be defeated, the “U” shape locks have proven to be effective.

Riding on Sidewalks

Pursuant to Illinois State Law, bicycles may be ridden on the sidewalk in Naperville, unless otherwise posted. Bicycle riding is not permitted on the sidewalk on the Riverwalk or in Downtown Naperville, and is posted as such.

If riding on the sidewalk be sure to ride at a safe speed, stay in control of your bike and remember pedestrians have the right of way.

Naperville Police Department