Stopping bike thefts

New bicycles began to have identification numbers in Beijing from the weekend. Anyone who buys a new bicycle will have to register his or her real name, ID number and phone number.

This latest in a series of efforts taken by the public security departments nationwide this year is meant to stamp out the rampant theft of bicycles which has become a scourge disrupting the life of many residents for years.

The total number of bicycles stolen is estimated to be 4 million on average a year.