General Cycling Discussion - letting my bike get stolen

I have a 15+ year old huffy mtn. bike that is still in good condition (we bought it at a LBS back in the day). I recently replaced the cracked, rotten Selle gel saddle that was on the bike with a Specialized BG, and fixed the crank arm that had stripped out and fallen off. I also put new pedals on it. After riding it around for a year or so, I just replaced it with a Trek fx7.3.

I'm thinking about just setting the old bike outside and letting whoever wants it steal it. I don't exactly live in the safest part of town, so I'm sure it would be gone in a day or so. Is this a good idea? Will the person who takes the bike make the logical assumption that an old bike in the "trash" probably equals a new bike in the house, and then try to break in? I really don't know where to take the old bike, and I'd like someone to get some use out of it, hopefully someone who could use a bike, but can't afford one. The closest goodwill is like 20 miles away, and is completely out of my way. I never go to that area of town.

So, is leaving my old bike out for someone (hopefully less fortunate and needing of a bike) to steal a good idea?

Why make the person "steal" it? Either put a sign on it saying "free bike" or place a free ad in Craig's List. ;)

I agree with DavidLee. If I had a bike to get rid of I would place some sort of sign on it or give it to a friend. Just letting someone 'steal' it rewards someone who is basically dishonest and removes the bike with the intent of committing a crime. Bike theft is enough of a problem without setting more of it up. Second, even if your intent is to give the bike away there is a possibility that the person doing the removing could be challenged (however remote), get arrested, get hurt or hurt someone else. A cardboard free bike sign with the bike elsewhere and you having discretion about who to give the bike to would be better. Or maybe even give it to a local non-profit bike recycler.

Kind of reminds me of story about New York City during a garbage driver's strike. A fellow decided to package his garbage nicely and leave it outside his door to get stolen. What happened insted was that everyone else decided that was a good place and left their garbage there too.

Donate it to a local charity, I am sure there are many and you can take a tax write off on it. Freecycle (http://www.freecycle.org) it. In our community we have a guy that fixes up old bikes and gives them away to needy children at Chrismas time. He gets all of my old bikes and finds that I can't use.

Aaron:)

Try your local 'team in training' folks. They're always looking for bikes.

i like the idea of the free bike sign, and if you're worried someone thinks a free bike sign equals a new bike in the house, put it on your neighbor's lawn after he leaves for work... just kidding, you could ride it to the nearest parking lot and leave it there with a free bike sign, make sure no one sees you as it could be seen as littering.

put in on the "free stuff" section of craigslist.

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/zip/

Take it to a dumpster behind a nearby business, and leave it there with the free bike sign.

...or just leave it in a bike rack with that sign on a busy day. It should be gone by the time you can get a frappucino.

Our local senior's center operates a second hand store that raises money for it. You could find something like that to donate to, or the local Goodwill or a Disabled American Veterans Thrift Store, which would also use the proceeds for a good cause. I'd not encourage a bad behavior by inviting theft, however.

The various ways of donating bikes that are listed above are great. But when I need to get rid of one of my older bikes (very rarely) I usually like to spot someone who needs it and is sometimes having money problems and quietly offer it to the person. I have never had a problem with this direct donation approuch that is very discreet, just between the two parties involved. No embarrassment from the reciever and no chance of set-up of the donator.

You have 3 Freecycle lists to choose from in your area!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CinciEast/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cincinnati_Freecycle/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ohio-cincinnati-west_freecycle/

Kind of reminds me of story about New York City during a garbage driver's strike. A fellow decided to package his garbage nicely and leave it outside his door to get stolen. What happened insted was that everyone else decided that was a good place and left their garbage there too.

L O L!

My guess is there's some bike thief who will gladly steal that bike and any other bike he can, probably to feed his drug habit.

My guess is there's also some honest person who could really use a bike to get to school or work, but can't afford one.

Which would you rather see the bike go to?

I agree with some others. Craiglist is or freecycle it. I've sold two bikes on Craigslist and picked up one of freecycle that I refurbished for a friend of mine.

What part of Cincinnati do you live in that is 20 miles from a Goodwill? I have 4 that I can think of all within 15 miles of me.

Donate it to your local high school tech. dept. they will use it to teach basic mechanic skills to their students.

JL

I'm basically downtown. There is probably a goodwill in KY, but I don't know where it is. The only goodwill that I know of is where I used to live in Woodlawn, about 20 miles away. I just set it outside with a free bike sign on it after I made sure the tires were inflated, adjusted the brakes, and lubed the chain. Hopefully someone who could really use it will get it.

Please take it from someone who lives in Portland, OR - don't encourage bike thieves in any way!

My guess is there's some bike thief who will gladly steal that bike and any other bike he can, probably to feed his drug habit.

My guess is there's also some honest person who could really use a bike to get to school or work, but can't afford one.

Which would you rather see the bike go to?

That's a very good point.

You have 3 Freecycle lists to choose from in your area!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CinciEast/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cincinnati_Freecycle/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ohio-cincinnati-west_freecycle/


Joined the freecycle list here in michigan a while ago, was a member for roughly 6 months, decided to leave the group because whenever I posted something to the list, I'd get responses long before it apeared on the list (browser set to always load from site so it wasn't a cached page issue) or in my mailbox. The list was moderated and carried a disclaimer that posts would be examined 'for suitable content' before being placed on the list, my opinion was that the examination period was being used for personal gain by moderator or his/her friends, which struck me as unfair to group members so I left the group. What set me off is I when posted a 12x36 metal lathe on the list, (was moving and everyone who wanted to buy it wanted me to transport it, if I wanted to transport a 2600lb lathe, I'd take it to my new house!) I not only had a response, but it was picked up 2 days before it showed up on the list or my mailbox.

donate the bike to goodwill or some other charity, get a tax reciept if needed/wanted, or locate a church group in your area.

ken

I'm basically downtown. There is probably a goodwill in KY, but I don't know where it is. The only goodwill that I know of is where I used to live in Woodlawn, about 20 miles away. I just set it outside with a free bike sign on it after I made sure the tires were inflated, adjusted the brakes, and lubed the chain. Hopefully someone who could really use it will get it.

There is one in Oakley, just off Madison and right down from Oakley Cycles. There is also one in Cheviot on North Bend. There is one just over the bridge in Bellevue, KY but I don't know where.

There is also a homeless drop-in center on 13th (I believe) in OTR that accepts donations. Just think it would be nice to see it go to charity rather than someone that just happened to be walking by. I live in Mad-ville, just leave it in my driveway and it will get stolen within an hour (I found that out the hard way).

Ride it to your local 7-11 and just leave it there. It'll go away and the theif won't know where it came from.

I had 3 old bmx bikes i wanted to get rid of so i went to places where i knew kids would ride. I saw a group of younger kids riding around at one popular spot, pulled over and asked if they wanted some free bikes. After telling them I was serious they gladly took them. I have never seen kids so excited. They were so happy and i got rid of my "garbage". They will probably put those bikes through years more use instead of sitting in my garage.

Definately dont leave them out to get stolen. It promotes poor behavior. I am sure theres one street in your town where the highschool kids (or younger) hang out. Just go there and ask if they want them.

Have you thought about posting it on the classifieds or the forum of http://www.cincinnaticycleclub.org/? I'm down in Louisville and people do that on our local club website.