APIC » Who are we?

Why APIC was created ?

Every year, thousands of recovered bicycles cannot be returned to their owners because they have no identification. This problem prompted the government to act.

In 2021, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of the Interior and Overseas Territories issued a decree making it mandatory for all bicycles sold by retailers to be registered. This was a key step forward in the “active mobility” component of the Mobility Orientation Law (LOM), which aims to establish cycling as a fully recognised mode of transport.

To support this new requirement, the French Federation of Bicycle Users (FUB) and the Union of Sports & Cycle Enterprises (USC) joined forces in 2020 to create APIC. The USC represents distributors, who must comply with the registration rules, while the FUB represents cyclists, the main victims of theft.

With their strong networks of members and supporters, it was natural for these two organisations to unite within an association dedicated to promoting and developing the national bicycle registration system.

Our missions

Promoting Bicycle Registration

To help return recovered bicycles to their rightful owners, the State created the Unique National File of Registered Bicycles (FNUCI). This database contains the contact details of all owners whose bikes have been marked and registered with a unique identification number.

The State appointed APIC to administer the FNUCI, with responsibility for updating, securing and monitoring the file on a daily basis. APIC also promotes the system in collaboration with approved registration operators and authorised enforcement officers.

Approved registration operators are service providers that offer marking and registration solutions. They connect merchants who collect the owner’s details with the national database where this information is stored. Operators may use one or more marking methods and must provide a secure platform for recording ownership data. They are authorised by the State based on APIC’s recommendations.

Authorised enforcement officers are the only people allowed to contact owners to return recovered bicycles. They have exclusive access to the FNUCI.

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Promoting Active Mobility

Bicycle theft is one of the main barriers to cycling in France. The risk of theft discourages many people from riding, and between a quarter and a third of victims stop cycling altogether. APIC works to combat theft and trafficking, helping to make everyday cycling easier and more appealing.

Since 2020, APIC has also served as the administrative partner of May by Bike, a nationwide celebration of cycling. As president Maria Jebli–Chedeville explains, the event is “a chance to discover or rediscover, in a fun and lively way, all the benefits of the bicycle. Held every May, it brings together local initiatives led by associations, volunteers, businesses, local authorities and public institutions — all working together to grow the cycling community and share the joy of riding, from early childhood through to later life.”

Many of these local events also highlight the importance of bike identification. Associations, local councils and municipal police often organise bike identification workshops and awareness sessions on theft prevention and trafficking, lasting from a couple of hours to several half-days.

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Current projects

Working with Police to Promote Theft Prevention

Preventing bicycle theft often comes down to a few simple but effective habits. To help spread these reminders, APIC partnered with the Ministry of the Interior and Overseas Territories to launch the “I Care About My Bike” campaign in spring 2024.

Police stations, gendarmerie brigades and municipal police distribute flyers and posters encouraging people to be vigilant when securing their bikes. They also explain how to register a bike and outline key steps to take if it is stolen, helping to speed up recovery and deter the resale of stolen bicycles.

APIC regularly works with law enforcement and local communities that want to promote bike identification, offering training sessions, webinars and awareness tools.

The “I Care About My Bike” flyer is available (only in French) for download so it can be handed out at events or displayed year-round in public spaces.

Encouraging Bike Reuse

Since 2021, all new bicycles sold in France have been registered, a figure that will reach nearly 7 million in the national database (FNUCI) by the end of 2024. Over time, some of these bikes end up in specialist facilities for destruction, recycling or reuse. Bikes considered unusable by their owners are often left at collection points or sorting centres, where they are recovered by organisations in the social and solidarity economy.

APIC works closely with these networks to give registered bicycles a second life. This includes making it easier to re-register bikes that have been refurbished and put back into circulation.

APIC also encourages the identification of older bicycles bought before 2021 through dedicated registration campaigns.

Call to Action: May by Bike 2026 !

The 2026 edition is already in preparation. From May 1 to 31, organisations and individuals across France will be celebrating cycling in all its forms. Whether you are an association, a public institution, a local authority, a school, a business or a private citizen, you can take part by registering your event on the interactive map of the May by Bike website.

Bike rides to discover local heritage, group hikes, repair workshops, road safety training, bike fairs, film screenings, activity challenges — everything is possible. The key is to make it visible and share it with others.

Get Involved in France’s Cycling Economy

France Vélo, a national collective of economic, associative and institutional stakeholders, works to develop and promote the French cycling economy. It brings together representatives from across the French cycling industry to share a common vision and coordinate actions that drive growth in every part of the sector, across all regions.

APIC is a member of France Vélo and takes part in the working groups it organises.

For more details on France Vélo’s work, you can consult the national cycling sector contract (in French).

The People Behind APIC

The APIC team is made up of passionate cyclists and dedicated experts, all working to promote a safe and accessible cycling environment. Each member brings unique skills and works alongside cyclists, communities and partners to encourage and expand everyday cycling.

Patrick Guinard

President of APIC

Joëlle Lafitte

Executive Manager of APIC

Lise Catheline

Bicycle Identification Policy Officer

Maria Jebli-Chedeville

President of May by Bike

Maïlys Joly

May by Bike Project Coordinator

Frequently asked questions :

What is the Unique National File of Registered Bicycles (FNUCI) ?

The Unique National File of Registered Bicycles (FNUCI) is a database recording information about bicycles and their owners, accessible to law enforcement agencies. It centrally and independently issues and stores all bicycle identifiers from authorized identification operators.

Identifiers are the key to storing data about bicycles and their owners.

How much does a marking cost ?

Between €10 and €30 depending on the marking chosen. You can choose the process from a approved registration operator.