About three dozen cyclists got their bikes registered this morning at the Vienna Metro Station.
It's all part of a WMATA's effort to curb theft.
"We had a rash of bike thefts this spring," said B.J. Heanue, a district commander with the Metro Transit Police department.
Officers took down a description of the bike along with the serial number, which is key to recovering the bike if it ever gets stolen, officers say.
"With the serial number, we have the info we need to input the information into a nationwide system," Heanue said. "That could prevent it from being sold at auction."
Oakton commuter Andrew Pierce was one of the riders to get his bike registered.
"I use my bike to commute every day so I wouldn't want my bike to get stolen," Pierce, 26, said.
He also got a complimentary u-lock style lock from police, who call the locks superior to chains and padlocks.
"Even if they weren't giving out the locks, I would still want my bike registered," Pierce said.
WMATA plans additional registration drives soon, but the times or locations have not yet been set.
Bikes can also be registered online at www.wmata.com/registration.
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