Commuting - National Bike Registry... do you use it?

Do you guys register your commuter bicycles with the National Bike Registry? Is it even useful to begin with? Your thoughts.

I registered my commuter with it a couple of years ago, I figured if it ever went missing, at least the serial number is registered somewhere.
Last year, the city of Boston, started their own voluntary bike registration - so I registered with them, too. It was free and the even allowed me to upload a photo of the bike.
If my bike is ever stolen, and recovered by the police (or a kind-hearted citizen) they should be able to trace it.
The city of Boston's registration is through here: http://stolenbikesboston.com/
It keeps a list of stolen bikes, and shows pictures to help in identification.
I also have the serial numbers and a photo of each of my bikes to help prove ownership, if they are recovered.

When I bought my bike back in Fall 2009, I registered it with the National Bike Registry (http://nationalbikeregistry.com/). It was cheap and seemed like added security just in case. I can't say how useful it is in experience, though, as I hope to never lose my bike. I should note that NBR's website has a list of law enforcement agencies that it has relationships with. Unfortunately, my tiny suburb wasn't listed. Maybe your local law enforcement agency will have a working relationship with NBR. However, I do like the added bit of peace of mind in having it registered and hiding that sticker on the bike. After registration, I was sent a NBR sticker (on which I wrote the bike's serial number as instructed) and a card with my registration information to keep in my wallet. I like that it seems to give convenient proof of ownership. Some time after registering with NBR, I learned of BikeRegistry (http://bikeregistry.com/) and signed up with them, too. It's another cheap addition to peace of mind. I liked how the decals you order are in different formats for different purposes. I'm considering ordering more decals in the future to attach in other hard-to-tamper spots on the bike.

Every little bit helps I figure. I registered a few years ago. I also added little calling cards inside the bike. I put one inside the end cap of by bar-end. When I overhauled my headset I taped a note to the steerer tube identifying myself and that if they see this note then this bike is stolen and to call the police. Inside the bottom bracket is another good place to tape a note to. Another good idea is to put a decal of your name on your bike. Can't argue with that.
http://www.bikenames.com/

I registered all my bikes through it. Luckily, I haven't had to use it yet so I'm not sure how beneficial it is. I also decided to register my laptop through it.

I think the name decals would be pretty good. I actually saw a bike a few weeks ago that had the owners name AND SSN engraved into the steel frame. Now that might be the best security ever. However, I don't think I'd want to go that far (especially since the guy with the engraved name and SSN was donating his bike).

I sent in my registration Dec. 21, 2009. They sent out my documentation on January 4, 2010. Never got it. Just to be sure that mail wasn't being stolen from my mailbox, I had them send the info to a friend's address. That was two weeks ago. Still no letter. When I went to the Vero Beach, Florida Police Dept. to see if my bike was registered, they had no idea who NBR was. Never heard of them.
NBR is very quick with Email correspondence, no complaints. I guess I'll wait a little longer.

I registered all my bikes through it. Luckily, I haven't had to use it yet so I'm not sure how beneficial it is. I also decided to register my laptop through it.

I think the name decals would be pretty good. I actually saw a bike a few weeks ago that had the owners name AND SSN engraved into the steel frame. Now that might be the best security ever. However, I don't think I'd want to go that far (especially since the guy with the engraved name and SSN was donating his bike).

A pretty bad idea, in this age of identity theft, to engrave a SSN in a bicycle.

Finally got my registration. Very nice people.:)

Minneapolis used to require bike registration. A few years ago a critical mass ride got ugly. Several bikes were abandoned in the turmoil and confiscated by the police. The bike registration database was used to track down the owners and they found themselves facing charges.

Since the track record of recovering stolen bikes wasn't so great, the mandatory registration law came under a lot of heat from area cyclists since it had been successfully used to hurt them and not so much to help them. As a result Minneapolis bike registration is no more.