Registering your bike with PTS links your bike to you using the serial number on your bike.  Bicycle serial numbers are like a car’s vin number.  When a bike is pawned, the pawn shop reports the serial number to the Austin Police Department which enters the number into a database to which police departments have access. Using this database, they can search for your serial number.  Stolen bikes end up back on campus as well and can be returned to their owners if they are registered. 

The permit number that is attached to your bike serves as a theft deterrent and makes it easier to contact the owner to avoid things like impoundment if improperly locked or locked to a rack that will be replaced.

The more bikes that are registered, the stronger the voice of the cycling community.