Bicycle theft in DC is rampant, preventing many people from buying bikes in the first place, and stopping people who own(ed) bike from continuing to ride them. To deter theft, recover stolen bikes, and return them to their owners, DC needs a modern registration system, possibly with electronic chips on bikes, that police can use to find stolen bikes and return them to their owners.

Bike thieves need to perform community service in lieu of jail time, and then be required to enter job training or other treatment programs (detox and substance abuse treatment, for example), and make some type of restitution to their victims.