A prevention reminder puts the QR code in context
In its back-to-school advice of 31 August 2026, FPS Home Affairs invites families to register bicycles with mybike and retain proof of purchase. The QR code is one means of identifying a bicycle, alongside parking precautions and locks.
mybike is the platform supported by the federal government and all three Regions. Free registration covers both new and second-hand bicycles. The sticker connects a visible identifier to the registered record: that link is what gives the scan its purpose.
For a family or club, there are two useful questions: is the bicycle registered, and is the sticker linked to that record? Attaching a printed square to the frame does not establish that relationship by itself.
Identifier, status, ownership: three different things
- The sticker’s identifier
- The official display carries a unique number and a QR code. The mybike website also lets you enter the number to check the status when scanning is inconvenient.
- The status in the register
- The lookup shows whether the bicycle is reported stolen on the platform. If it is, mybike offers contact with the owner without revealing their identity to the person reading the code.
- Ownership evidence
- The FAQ states that registration is not, by itself, proof of ownership. An invoice, resale document, serial number and description remain important. A status that does not flag theft is not enough to validate a seller.
Before buying second-hand, compare the documents with the bicycle offered. The QR code provides additional information; it does not answer every question about where the bicycle came from.
A received sticker still needs to be linked to the bicycle
The official sticker page describes two situations: requesting a sticker after registration, or linking a sticker already received to a bicycle. In the second case, activation must not be overlooked.
- Open the official mybike website and follow your Region’s process to create or retrieve your profile.
- Register the bicycle and check the details that identify it.
- If you already have a sticker, indicate this during the process and link its number to the relevant bicycle.
- Before attaching it, check that it can be read on the frame. Follow the official placement instructions for a clean, visible area.
Distribution arrangements can differ. The Flemish page states that, since 19 January 2026, Flemish local authorities no longer order and distribute stickers: individuals request them through the platform. This regional rule must not be extended to the whole of Belgium.
If the bicycle is reported stolen, use the official process
Checking a second-hand bicycle that the register flags as stolen? The mybike FAQ recommends not buying it and lets you send information to the owner through the platform. Contact the appropriate authorities as the situation requires, without publishing details of the bicycle or a person in a public group.
If your own bicycle has disappeared, distinguish the report in your mybike account from reporting theft to the police. The FAQ describes these steps and adding the police report number to the record. The register helps identification; it does not guarantee recovery.
Use official entry points to reach the right service. Our guide helps you examine a QR code’s destination before opening it.
For a club, separate bicycle identification from outing information
Fictional example: a club organises an outing and displays a QR code at the meeting point. It opens the timetable, ride route and organiser’s contact details. Its caption says “View outing information”.
Participants’ bicycles keep their own mybike identifiers. The club poster does not use a member’s code or display an invoice, national register number or personal record. Two displays carrying a QR code can serve very different needs.
For the club’s page, include a readable address and the essential details on the poster. Choose a page the team can maintain after the event, for example to announce a cancellation or update the meeting point.
Prepare links for an association or club · Discover other QR codes for visitor routes · Write a clear instruction beside the code
Questions before scanning or printing
Can the QR code locate my bicycle?
The sticker opens the recorded status and contact options described by mybike. Scanning does not provide the bicycle’s location. Someone must see it and use the intended process to pass on information.
Can I recreate my official sticker in Qurl?
For a request or replacement, use mybike and your Region’s support. A general-purpose QR code does not activate an official identifier. Qurl can prepare the club’s public link, not register a bicycle in this database.
What if the sticker can no longer be read?
The official page also allows a lookup using the printed identifier. For a damaged sticker or a problem linking it to the record, consult mybike support. Distinguish an unread image from an identifier the service does not recognise.
For your own poster, the guide to alternatives to scanning helps keep information accessible without a QR reader.
The right starting point for your task
To identify a bicycle or check its status, start with the official mybike service. To inform club members, prepare a public page with the timetable, contact details and an instruction describing its content.
You can create that page’s QR code in Qurl and download it as PNG, SVG or PDF. Keep the address up to date and check the destination before distributing the display. The club’s communication QR code and the bicycle’s identification sticker each retain their own role.