Danish bicycle VIN-system

VIN from Ebsen Danmark A/S placed on the seat tube
(rotated version for readability)

The Danish bicycle VIN-system is a system introduced in 1942 by the Danish government, providing all bicycles in Denmark with a unique code. The code is a combination of letters and digits embedded into the bicycle frame and consists of a manufacturer code, a serial number, and construction year code.

Since 1948, it has been illegal[1] to sell bicycle frames in Denmark without an embedded VIN. Because of this, insurance companies in Denmark will not pay indemnities for stolen bicycles without a VIN.[2]

Location of the VIN

By default, the VIN is to be engraved into the seat tube or the down tube, but if these are made of such a material that hinders this, it may alternately be put on the bottom bracket shell. In very special instances, and only with the approval of the Danish National Police Commissioner’s Office, it may be applied by other means and on other locations.[1]

Components of the VIN

The bicycle VIN is constructed of three elements: a letter-block, a digit-block and a letter-block:

Block 1 2 3
Description Manufacturers code Frame serial number Production year
Length 1-4 (letters) 1- (digits) 1 (letter)
 
Example 1 WDA 1234 Z
Example 2 S 57 A

The manufacturers-code, is a 1, 2, 3 or 4-letter block. If the code starts with a W, it is an imported bicycle frame. The second block is the frame serial number from that manufacturer. This shall have at least one digit, but can otherwise have any number of digits. The third block is a single letter code that identifies the production year. Certain limits regarding letters are instated for the VIN:[3]

In the examples above, the first bicycle is a bicycle imported by FDB, with serial number 1234 and made in either 1963, 1984 or 2005. The second bike is a SCO bicycle, with serial number 57, made in 1942, 1964, 1985 or 2006.

Common manufacturer codes

This table shows examples of manufacturer codes, but is in no way to be considered a complete listing.

CodeManufacturer nameCodeManufacturer nameCodeManufacturer name
A-G H-P R-Å
AKCenturion (previously Åge Krøll)HNHede Nielsens Fabrikker A/SRDScandinavia Racing Discount
ARRaleigh (previously Vilhelm Nellemann A/S)IA1Ivan A HansenRECRecykel ApS
AVWinther cykler (alias Anders Winther A/S)IC2Ebsen Danmark A/SSI1Søgreni cykler
AZJørgensø ImportJEJupiterSSCO (alias Smith & Co)
BABanani (previously Bent A Nielsen)JKHJyde-Kompagniet A/SSSSCO (alias Smith & Co)
BLSCO bicycles sold in the Bilka supermarket chain (see also S)JWG3CykelbandittenSTEStangerup Efterfølgere
BKKildemoes (alias Børge Kildemoes)KMMotobecaneSXSaxil cykler (also see BN)
BNSaxil Bicycles (SX until approx. 2000)LLSorte JernhestTUTrek
BTTaarnby a/sMBMBKTVBatavus
CCChristiania Bicycles (also Pedersen-cyklen)MRRitter ImportURUrania cykler
CGECykelgear.dkNNordisk Cykelfabrik A/SVIVIVA bikes
CKJensen cykler (alias C K Jensen)NHNihola Cykler ApSVELVelorbis
CMMosquitoPAPedal-atletenVGGrebart cykler
CPHCPHBiKE ApSPDStyer-Puch A/S  
CSChristiania BicyclesPFPeter From  
DAFDBPOLVIN provided by the police - usually for private import  
DBRockyPLCREATE  
DI1Dibbern CyklerPRPro Movec  
EEEgedesø (alias Everton)PSSchrøder cykler  
FAKFalconPYPython Pro  
GDTitania Cykler    
GRL. H. V. Grønning, Skibhusvej 146, Odense    
GW3G&W Cykler    

1: Even though I in general is not used, it appears that some brands are using it.
2: Even though I in general is not used, Ebsen Danmark A/S bicycles are in fact using it in their manufacturercode (verified).
3: Even though W in general is not used, it appears that some brands are using it.

Production year identification codes

ABCDEFGHJKLMNPQRSTUVXZ
1942194319441945194619471948194919501951195219531954195519561957195819591960196119621963
1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 - 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984
198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005
200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020      

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Lov nr. 135 af 23. marts 1948: Bekendtgørelse af lov om mærkning af cykelstel m.v." (in Danish). 1948-03-23. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
  2. Lund, Preben (2011-06-12). "Demand for marking of stolen goods". DR Nyheder (in Danish). Retrieved 2011-06-18.
  3. Dansk Cyklist Forbund. "How to decode the bicycles age" (in Danish). Archived from the original on 2012-03-11. Retrieved 2011-07-07.
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