Been chained up for the past year

December 5, 2010 9:57 AM

How are obviously abandoned bicycles treated in New York City?

Over the past six months or so, I've seen a steadily growing accumulation of obviously abandoned bicycles in my neighborhood. These are bikes without wheels, with rusty chains, etc. Yet they're secured with serious locks.

What's the law regarding bikes chained up on the street? Do they become abandoned property after some period of time and obvious neglect? Do they become salvage property of anyone who can cut the chains?

posted by chengjih to Law & Government (2 answers total)

Best answer: Department of Sanitation Derelict Bike Rules [August 2010, PDF]

Via Streetsblog:

The new rules also set the terms under which abandoned bikes can be removed from where they are locked. Sanitation has established five criteria to determine whether a bike is derelict. Starting October 4, the department will tag any bike attached to public property that meets three of those criteria. Seven days after getting tagged, the bike would be disposed of. If applied fairly, that could clear away truly abandoned bikes and free up space for people to park the bikes that are functional and actively used.

The criteria are:

(i) the bicycle appears to be crushed or not usable;

(ii) the bicycle is missing parts, other than the seat and front wheel, including, but not limited to handlebars, pedal or pedals, rear wheel and chain;

(iii) the bicycle has flat or missing tires;

(iv) the handlebars or pedals are damaged, or the existing forks, frames or rims are bent; or

(v) seventy-five percent or more of the bicycle, which includes the handlebars, pedals and frames are rusted, along with any chain affixing such bicycle to public property.

Call 311 to report an abandoned vehicle on public property.
posted by kathryn at 10:36 AM on December 5, 2010

As kathryn has already provided the answer, may I point you to a short film on this subject: The Ethics of Stealing a Bike?
posted by ssg at 11:51 AM on December 5, 2010