Tracking Down a Lost Bike on a Train in the Netherlands

From hopeless police reports to a happy reunion—a story of tech and luck

Losing a bike while traveling is every cyclist’s nightmare—especially in a country like the Netherlands, where bikes are a way of life. That’s exactly what happened to Mohammad when his beloved bike disappeared during a train ride near Utrecht. With little hope of recovering it and a police report that felt like just another statistic, things didn’t look promising. But thanks to his BikeFinder tracker, the impossible happened—he tracked down his missing bike in an unexpected place and got it back. Here’s how BikeFinder’s technology turned what could have been a permanent loss into a remarkable recovery.

This is Mohammad’s story:

“About a year ago, I ordered my bike directly from China for around 1,200 euros. I use my bike almost every day, whether for exercise or grocery shopping.  I love my bike, and since I couldn’t afford to replace it if it were stolen, I decided to invest in a good tracker. After doing some research online, I found that BikeFinder was the best option because it has a built-in SIM card. Unlike cheaper Bluetooth options it doesn’t need any specific devices to be around to send a signal. Plus, it’s discreet and doesn’t give away its presence to any phone nearby.

One day, I lost my bike while traveling by train. It was stored in the bike compartment while I was seated in the passenger area. I realized my bike was missing when I arrived at my destination and couldn’t find it.

I tried tracking it with BikeFinder, but in that moment, there was no signal due to poor coverage in the area. So, I reported the theft to the police. They only recorded the bike’s serial number and didn’t want any bike picture or other information from me. They said they’d let me know if they found it but couldn’t give a clear timeline. It didn’t raise my hopes. I also filed a theft report through the BikeFinder app.

The next morning, the tracker picked up a signal! It showed my bike in a different city. I immediately traveled there and found it in a train company garage. I spoke with the garage manager who told me that a train company employee took my bike because nobody was sitting near it. That’s because I was in the passenger area and my bike was in the bike compartment. So, we went through the necessary procedures to retrieve it and I could take it back home.

I’m so happy with the BikeFinder tracker! It saved my bike, and I’ve already subscribed to their two-year package. When it expires, I’ll definitely renew it.”

One last note from the BikeFinder team

Mohammad’s story is proof that investing in the right technology can make all the difference. Without his BikeFinder tracker, his bike might have been lost forever in an unmarked storage room. Instead, he got it back in less than a day. Whether you’re commuting, exploring, or just running errands, a GPS tracker gives you peace of mind—because if your bike ever goes missing, you’ll know exactly where to find it. Have a similar success story? We’d love to hear it! Share your experience in the comments or tag us on social media.

Thank you for sharing your story with us Mohammad and we are so happy you recovered your stolen bike!