Registration of cycles with the FNUCI, a national scheme to combat bicycle theft.

What is UNFCI?

The Fichier National Unique des Cycles Identifiés (FNUCI) is a national database dedicated to the registration of bicycles in France. It was set up on January 1, 2021, following the obligation to identify bicycles when they are sold. The FNUCI records all data on identified cycles (on French territory) and their owners. This data is collected by authorized identification operators, through their networks of identification service providers who identify bicycles. 

---

The obligation to identify cycles: what does the law say?

The FNUCI is governed by the following articles of the French Transport Code: L. 1271-3; R. 1271-7; R. 1271-13; R. 1271-19; Art. R. 1271-20; R. 1271-22

As part of the regulations on cycle identification, any dealer as defined by article L. 121-1 of the French Commercial Code, in charge of selling new (as of January 1, 2021) and used (as of July 1, 2021) bicycles, is required to work with one or more approved cycle identification operators.

In concrete terms, this means any structure that trades in cycles and makes this their usual profession. As a result, a workshop, even an association, which sells bicycles on a regular, habitual basis is subject to this obligation.

At the time of sale, the retailer must have affixed theidentifier visibly to the frame and registered the owner on the platform of theapproved cycle identification operator.

Bicycle owners cannot be fined for riding an unmarked bicycle, whether or not purchased after the implementation of the identification law.

Likewise, in accordance with the French Transport Code, the identifier is not a means of accessing the contact details of an owner of a cycle who may be in breach of the law, with a view to being fined.

Cycle identification is in force (decree no. 2020-1439 of November 23, 2020 and order of December 29, 2020 JORF no. 0316) on all bicycles sold new (since January 1, 2021) orused (since July 1, 2021) by any retailer: bike shop, food superstore, specialist superstore, second-hand shop, etc.

The Association de Promotion et d'Identification des Cycles et de la mobilité active (APIC) has been appointed by the French government to manage this file (order of December 28, 2020 JORF n°0315). 

Consult the decree

Consult the order

---

What types of cycles are eligible for UNFCI registration? 

The obligation to identify cycles is governed by regulations on the identification of cycles, cycle trailers and personal mobility devices (PMDs), codified in the Transport Code in articles L1271-5 and R1271-1 to 26.

These texts stem from the Loi d'orientation des mobilités (LOM): LOI n°2019-1428 of December 24, 2019 - art. 53 (V) specified by decree n°2020-1439 of November 23, 2020 relating to cycle identification.

The measure implemented is the obligation to identify cycles from 2021, for all new or used cycles sold by retailers (on January 1 for new cycles and on July 1 for used cycles). 

However, it remains optional for : 

• children's bicycles: with wheels up to 40.64 centimetres (16 inches) in diameter; 
• cycles put into circulation before 2021 (not yet marked with a BicyCode, for example); 
• cycle trailers and personal moving machines defined by the headings 
• 6.15 and 6.16 ofarticle R. 311-1 of the Highway Code (such as electric scooters) (Art. R. 1271-5 of the Transport Code). 

---

Information registered with UNFCI 

The FNUCI contains a number of essential pieces of information that link each marked bike to its owner, and facilitate identification in the event of theft or resale. Here is the main information recorded in the FNUCI: 

Bike identification number 

This unique number, unalterably engraved on the bike's frame, is the main key to finding and identifying the bike in the database. 

Bicycle information 

• Bike make 
• Model 
• Color 
• Type (mountain bike, city bike, electric bike, etc.) 
• Other specific features (accessories, customizations) 

Owner information

• First and last name 
• Postal address 
• Email address 
• Phone number 

Marking information

• Date and place of marking 
• Identity of the professional or organization having carried out the marking 

Bike history

• Information on changes of ownership in the event of resale 
• Possible reports of theft or loss 

---

Security of information transmitted to UNFICYP 

The personal data transmitted to the FNUCI by approved identification operators is strictly regulated.

It may not be used for commercial purposes, but may be processed for (anonymous) statistical purposes. Owners of identified cycles cannot object to the collection, transmission and recording of their personal data by the FNUCI. However, when an owner declares that he or she is no longer in possession of his or her identified cycle, the data is simultaneously and securely deleted from the FNUCI and from the database of the authorized identification operator (BicyCode in this case).

In the event of a theft report by an owner, the data contained in the FNUCI can be accessed by the police and gendarmerie forces, municipal police forces, lost and found services and impound facilities (Art. R. 1271-22 of the French Transport Code), so that these services can contact the owner to return his or her cycle when it is found.

The FNUCI access portal also enables the general public to access the "status" of a cycle, EDP or cycle trailer, in order to ensure, particularly when buying second-hand between bike owners, that the latter is indeed "in service" and/or "for sale" and not "stolen", in order to avoid any risk of receiving stolen goods.