WASHINGTON -- D.C. residents will no longer be required to register their bicycles with the city starting June 1.

Registration will not be available at D.C. police and fire stations after that date.

Transportation officials and police instead are encouraging residents to register their bikes by serial number with the National Bicycle Registry.

The national database is accessible by police anywhere in the United States.

To register with NBR, bike owners can purchase a kit for $10 at local bike shops or go online at www.nationalbikeregistry.com. They can also call 800-848-BIKE.