Advocacy & Safety - "Abandoned" bikes

Not sure if A&S is the right place, but I figure this discussion may fall under the Advocacy portion.

When (if ever) is it ok to take a bike that appears to be abandoned? I posted my opinion about this on my blog today, but I wanted to hear what others have to say.

Here's the story: Two teenagers are out at 1AM, and find a locked up bike with in a somewhat remote location. According to their description, it had flat tires and appeared to have been out there a while, and looked abused. Turns out that it belonged to a college student that went missing two days prior. And it was four days later that they saw a photo on the news and realized they had stolen a bike that belonged to the missing student. At this time, they turned it in.

They were not charged with the theft, even though they also unwittingly tampered with evidence. Obviously, it was not ok to take this bike. Is it ever ok to take an "abandoned" bike?

My main issue is how would you ever know it is truly abandoned?

You could see a bike sit for a year, never getting used, only to find out it belonged to someone in the Army who had been sent to Iraq for a year. Did he leave it in the best place? Maybe not. But did he abandon it?

Bottom line, I don't take anything that isn't mine.

-D

If it's not yours, it's not yours.
Duh.

Yeah, I don't really see any time that it's ok to take and keep a bike you might find. In this case, turning it in to the police would have been the wise thing to do.

There are some clearly abandoned bikes where I park. All that's left of one is a front wheel and the frame, locked to a rack. I think people just leave 'em after others steal parts. It has been there for at least 7-8 months, probably longer. Last week the university police put a tag saying it would be removed in a few days if no one moves it themselves.

Interesting question. My police department seems to consider any bike that's left unattended is abandoned.

I had a cheap Giant MTB stolen this June. Strangely, where the Giant had been, next to its cut cable lock, was lying a vintage Fuji 10 speed. (It was in cherry condition, and I'm sure worth more than the Giant.)

I called the cops partly to report the theft, but mostly because I wanted to see if the Fuji could be returned to its rightful owner. The cop, when he arrived an hour later, agreed that the thief had undoubtedly left the Fuji behind when he stole my Giant. He wouldn't even take a report on my stolen bike, and he told me there was no way in hell that the owner of the Fuji would ever be found. I asked what he was going to do about the Fuji. "Nothing I can do. I don't want to put it in my trunk so I'm just gonna leave it here. Finder's keepers."

I think what he was really saying is that any bike that's unattended is abandoned, even if it's locked, and it's OK for anybody who comes along to take the "abandoned" bike. Finder's keepers! It left a bad taste in my bike, even though I did ride away on the Fuji, with the cop sitting there watching me take a bike that he knew wasn't mine.

The real question is: If a bike has been clearly abandoned, why in the hell would you want to take it in the first place?
A bike that has been "clearly abandoned" to me would be rusted all to hell and back, missing a few pieces, covered in various bodily fluids of woodland creatures, and would cost more to make it rideable again than it would to purchase a low end Trek. So why would anyone in their right mind take such a thing?
If the bike were a $1500 bike that appeared to be abandoned, it'd be best to call the cops and report a "possible" missing person, because that would make more sense than the bike being abandoned.

It's like the difference between finding a ratty old wallet with noting inside it compared to finding a nice hand stitched leather wallet with money and credit cards inside.

I see houses in Detroit all the time that have been sitting empty for many, many years. Beautiful homes that are really a work of art. It's no more moral to illegally move into that house because "it's a shame to let such a beautiful house go to waste" than it is to take a bike and tell yourself "someone should use this beautiful thing and not let it sit here and rust".

The real question is: If a bike has been clearly abandoned, why in the hell would you want to take it in the first place?
A bike that has been "clearly abandoned" to me would be rusted all to hell and back, missing a few pieces, covered in various bodily fluids of woodland creatures, and would cost more to make it rideable again than it would to purchase a low end Trek. So why would anyone in their right mind take such a thing?
If the bike were a $1500 bike that appeared to be abandoned, it'd be best to call the cops and report a "possible" missing person, because that would make more sense than the bike being abandoned.

It's like the difference between finding a ratty old wallet with noting inside it compared to finding a nice hand stitched leather wallet with money and credit cards inside.

I see houses in Detroit all the time that have been sitting empty for many, many years. Beautiful homes that are really a work of art. It's no more moral to illegally move into that house because "it's a shame to let such a beautiful house go to waste" than it is to take a bike and tell yourself "someone should use this beautiful thing and not let it sit here and rust".
I don't know. I remember reading on BF a couple years ago a member found an unscratched frame in a dumpster, and it was a great CF frame, an Orbea or some such. Also, as you probably know, fellow inner-city dweller, a lot of thugs who steal bikes know nothing about their value. They like the blingy X-mart faux-suspension faux-chrome faux-MTB but turn up their noses at a great road bike. Like the guy who stole my old Giant and left me a decent Fuji that somebody would E-pay at least $200 for.

pj--
As for the great old houses in Detroit (I grew up in one that I think is abandoned now, only it was in Highland Park): Is it illegal to squat in an abandoned house? I have heard that it is illegal, but you can't go to jail for it, and if you squat they have to go through the whole eviction process to throw you out.

pj--
As for the great old houses in Detroit (I grew up in one that I think is abandoned now, only it was in Highland Park): Is it illegal to squat in an abandoned house? I have heard that it is illegal, but you can't go to jail for it, and if you squat they have to go through the whole eviction process to throw you out.
I thought all of Highland Park was abandoned! :D
Those are some beautiful houses down there though, it's such a pitty.
I have heard the same thing about squatting and squatters rights. Though I'm not sure of the validity of it. It sounds reasonable given the various ways that our laws are interpeted though.
I just tossed that analogy out there as a mirror to the statements I've seen on here where people say "but that bike was such a beauty back in its day, it would be a shame to leave it out there just to get destroyed." My take on it is that it's the rightful owners decision on what happens to their property, wether someone precieves it abandoned or not. That's not to say that if I see a nice stripped Rivendale frame tossed onto the side of a creekbed for a few months that I would not "save" it. I probably would. But I wouldn't kid myself by telling myself that I was doing "it" a favor. The fact would remain that I took something that was not mine and I did not follow due legal process to do so. But I'm a hypocrite by nature. ;)

[EDIT]
One of the things I "heard" about squatters rights was that if the squatter had their mail forwarded to that house then it became a big legal issue. But if there was no paperwork at all showing that place as a residency then trespassing laws took over. This is only what I heard... and it kinda makes sense.

There are apparently abandoned bikes all over my college campus. They probably belong to someone, and even if they are going to rust out on the bike racks only to be tossed in a dumpster at graduation, they're not mine to take. If anything, I'd like to take some wrenches and chain lube to them to see if it might make the owners actually enjoy riding them.

I thought all of Highland Park was abandoned! :D
Those are some beautiful houses down there though, it's such a pitty.
I have heard the same thing about squatting and squatters rights. Though I'm not sure of the validity of it. It sounds reasonable given the various ways that our laws are interpeted though.
I just tossed that analogy out there as a mirror to the statements I've seen on here where people say "but that bike was such a beauty back in its day, it would be a shame to leave it out there just to get destroyed." My take on it is that it's the rightful owners decision on what happens to their property, wether someone precieves it abandoned or not. That's not to say that if I see a nice stripped Rivendale frame tossed onto the side of a creekbed for a few months that I would not "save" it. I probably would. But I wouldn't kid myself by telling myself that I was doing "it" a favor. The fact would remain that I took something that was not mine and I did not follow due legal process to do so. But I'm a hypocrite by nature. ;)

[EDIT]
One of the things I "heard" about squatters rights was that if the squatter had their mail forwarded to that house then it became a big legal issue. But if there was no paperwork at all showing that place as a residency then trespassing laws took over. This is only what I heard... and it kinda makes sense.

I think if property is clearly abandoned, especially in a public place, and there's little chance of finding the rightful owner, it righteously is up for grabs. Bikes are tough because it's so hard to prove ownership of a bike. I buy most of my bikes second-hand from a pawn shop, and I assume that some were stolen, even though in Michigan pawned property must be reported to the police. But the police obviously don't care about bikes, so who knows? Bikes are like currency because it's hard to prove ownership. They have serial numbers, but the numbers aren't registered like a car's VIN. Unless you have a bill of sale with the serial number from a reputable shop, you really can't prove the bike is yours. OTOH, nobody else can prove it's their's, so it really does belong to the person who possesses it.

There's a decent Schwinn MTB that's been locked to a bike rack by a restaurant near campus. It's been there since last summer. It's in a covered area and not even the chain is rusty. If I could get it unlocked, I would feel totally justified in taking it.

I think if property is clearly abandoned, especially in a public place, and there's little chance of finding the rightful owner, it righteously is up for grabs. Bikes are tough because it's so hard to prove ownership of a bike. I buy most of my bikes second-hand from a pawn shop, and I assume that some were stolen, even though in Michigan pawned property must be reported to the police. But the police obviously don't care about bikes, so who knows? Bikes are like currency because it's hard to prove ownership. They have serial numbers, but the numbers aren't registered like a car's VIN. Unless you have a bill of sale with the serial number from a reputable shop, you really can't prove the bike is yours. OTOH, nobody else can prove it's their's, so it really does belong to the person who possesses it.

There's a decent Schwinn MTB that's been locked to a bike rack by a restaurant near campus. It's been there since last summer. It's in a covered area and not even the chain is rusty. If I could get it unlocked, I would feel totally justified in taking it.
I'd probably have the same outlook if I didn't have the "history" I do. I'm sure you've seen me post about my past before so I'll not rehash. I'd be more apt to feel that way if I lived in an area that had alot of abandoned bikes like you do. But here all of the seemingly abandoned bikes are total rust buckets that I wouldn't waste my time by picking them up and tossing them in a dumpster.
Just so you know though, I'm fairly certain that it is in Lapeer that all bicycles must be registered with the police. And a sticker with the registration number is to be placed on each bike. If a bike is found without one the owner can be fined. I know for certain that this is to be true, but I am only fairly certain that it is in Lapeer.

I'd probably have the same outlook if I didn't have the "history" I do. I'm sure you've seen me post about my past before so I'll not rehash. I'd be more apt to feel that way if I lived in an area that had alot of abandoned bikes like you do. But here all of the seemingly abandoned bikes are total rust buckets that I wouldn't waste my time by picking them up and tossing them in a dumpster.
Just so you know though, I'm fairly certain that it is in Lapeer that all bicycles must be registered with the police. And a sticker with the registration number is to be placed on each bike. If a bike is found without one the owner can be fined. I know for certain that this is to be true, but I am only fairly certain that it is in Lapeer.

I know they used to register bikes all over Michigan. My dad always made us register ours when we were kids. The cop who came about my stolen bike suggested that I get my new bike registered with the police. I had to inform him that the Lansing police no longer register bikes. He said that's probably because it didn't really do much good.

I know they used to register bikes all over Michigan. My dad always made us register ours when we were kids. The cop who came about my stolen bike suggested that I get my new bike registered with the police. I had to inform him that the Lansing police no longer register bikes. He said that's probably because it didn't really do much good.
The LEOs there sound pretty apathetic.

http://www.pedalpushersonline.com/?CID=776

http://www.pedalpushersonline.com/images/abandoned.jpg

I guess I would draw the line at cutting locks/chains. No matter how good your intentions, even if the bike is obvioulsy abandoned, if you get caught cutting off a lock, you are likely in way more trouble than the bike is worth. If the bike is sitting in the middle of a trash pile, unlocked, that's a different matter....

A case for "bicycle liberation."

You are actually doing society good by liberating a bicycle and putting it back on the road. A functioning bicycle is an asset to society with health and environmental advantages. The alternative is that it ends ups clogging a landfill.

That being said, its hard to tell if its really abandoned. I junk pile pick all the tiome. Its clear the bike is going to the trash. But an unlocked bike? How long does it have to be there before it is really "abandoned". And a locked bike?

What about this situation, which I did. I was leaving school and could not take my commuter bike with me (a nice DL 1), so I "set it free" in a bike room of the apartment building I was living in. Would you take an unlocked bike from a bike storae room?

I don't know. I remember reading on BF a couple years ago a member found an unscratched frame in a dumpster, and it was a great CF frame, an Orbea or some such. Also, as you probably know, fellow inner-city dweller, a lot of thugs who steal bikes know nothing about their value. They like the blingy X-mart faux-suspension faux-chrome faux-MTB but turn up their noses at a great road bike. Like the guy who stole my old Giant and left me a decent Fuji that somebody would E-pay at least $200 for.

If something has been placed in a dumpster, or out by the curb leaning against the trash cans on trash-pickup day, then I believe that legally it's fair game. Am I wrong?

I would do this:

Leave a note on the bike for probably two weeks asking if the bike is abandoned. Say "Please respond by xx/xx/xx if this bike is still in use". If there is no response within two weeks, and if it has abandonment signs, such as flat tires, rusty chain, or missing parts, it's probably fair game. Leave a note behind that says "If you bike is missing, please email xxx@blah.com". Probably best to use create a hotmail account for this purpose. If they want their bike back, leave it in some location locked, hide the key, and tell the person where they can find it.

That's what I would do.

I usually just report abandoned bikes to the city or campus police. I have never actually wanted one of them (they are usually rusted out Wal-Mart "mountain bikes"), but they do tend to accumulate on college campuses and take up all of the lock up points. That seems reason enough to ask that they be removed. I don't think I would ever take matters into my own hands, but if I was interested in an abandoned bike I think I would ask the police if there is any way to buy or just have unclaimed abandoned bikes.

There has been the same bike at the train station using the same bike "rack" locking devices for many months now with no evidence that it has been moved. I'm 99% certain that the bike hasn't been used in a long long time. Has it been officially abandoned? I don't know. It annoys me though since, if I don't catch a pretty early train, the bike rack gets filled up and I have to less securely lock up to something stationary. I have told the station attendant about it to no avail. These things aren't your personal garage people! end of rant.

If something has been placed in a dumpster, or out by the curb leaning against the trash cans on trash-pickup day, then I believe that legally it's fair game. Am I wrong?

Depends on the city you're in, some consider trash as just that, and feel as long as you're not making a mess that it's fine. others consider trash cans to be private property and will prosocute.

I've snagged a LOT of good things from trash piles, and have also been harrassed for taking things out of them, main criteria seems to be whether you have legal right to be where the trash is located, on the street or in an open shared parking lot is one thing, a fenced area or some other restriction to free access is another.

For the most part, if it's locked, it's best NOT to consider it abandoned without some serious digging.

Ken.

Bikes are like currency because it's hard to prove ownership. They have serial numbers, but the numbers aren't registered like a car's VIN. Unless you have a bill of sale with the serial number from a reputable shop, you really can't prove the bike is yours. OTOH, nobody else can prove it's their's, so it really does belong to the person who possesses it

You can take a pix of the bike, add the serial number etc., make two copies. Keep one at home on file and put the other in a ziplock including your name and address. Roll it up and hide it in the seat tube.

At least then if you find or see your stolen bike anywhere you can call a cop, show your ID and explain the situation while extracting the info from the tube.

Make sure to report your stolen bike.

Values among kids and college students have certainly changed since I was either. When I was in college (70's) and a student no longer wanted his/her bicycle, they would simply place a card on the bulletin board, advertising it as being for sale. And back then, you would sell it quickly, as everyone wanted a "ten-speed". There were no abandonded bicycles. Today, the bike racks at campuses around Boston are full of abandonded bicycles, including some decent ones. Students either graduate, or move on to another school, and decide they no longer want the bike. At MIT and Harvard, police will red-tag bikes that have not moved for some time. The tag will have a date on it, and a statement that the bike will be removed on a certain date. That's the only and final notice the owner will receive.

Kids today are even stranger. My sister lives near a heavily wooded area. (Deer sometimes come into the backyard) Area kids have left perfectly good bikes (including some of the kid sized Treks. Expensive!) in the woods on several occasions. She has mentioned this to area parents, and the parents simply say, laughingly, "Oh, little Justin didn't want that anymore, so he just left it in the woods."

Man, If I ever left my bicycle somewhere, because I "didn't want it anymore", not only would I have never received another bike, but I don't think I would have been able to sit for a month.

Still, I wouldn't take any of these bicycles, as they're not mine to take.

I did a lot of work on different universities/colleges, and was realy amazed at the things the kids toss out before summer break, at one I watched them toss computers, televisions, stereos, bicycles, scooters, refrigerators, and even a motorcycle once. at another they tossed so many computers and bikes that I parked my truck near the dumpster, with a note to put them in the truck. When I was done for the day there were 9 computers and 5 bikes IN the truck, and several sitting on the ground next to it. most of the computers were less than a year old, and bikes looked like they were never ridden.
starving students my butt.

ken.

I did a lot of work on different universities/colleges, and was realy amazed at the things the kids toss out before summer break, at one I watched them toss computers, televisions, stereos, bicycles, scooters, refrigerators, and even a motorcycle once. at another they tossed so many computers and bikes that I parked my truck near the dumpster, with a note to put them in the truck. When I was done for the day there were 9 computers and 5 bikes IN the truck, and several sitting on the ground next to it. most of the computers were less than a year old, and bikes looked like they were never ridden.
starving students my butt.

ken.

I live in a town of 90,000 or so, with 80,000 of the population being college students. Apparently, year-end dumpster diving is very lucrative here.

Cool thread.

I recently did pick up an "Abandonded Bicyle" it had clearly been thrown out, it was laying on the footpath with a lot of other junk, broken mirrors etc.. (it was an old Centurion 10 speed) i had no qualms about taking it home. and i knew someone else would have quickly taken it by the end of the day.

On the Other
hand there is an old vintage 3 speed that I pass on my ride to work that is chained to a tree near a University in the city which I am sure has not moved at all in the last 6 or 7 months. (it may be longer as I wasn't cycling this way).

its in the rain getting rusty and well its pretty beat up - i'd love to take it home and try and fix it up but I just don't know for sure if its abandoned.... I've thought about leaving a note on it with a mobile number but haven't yet.

it is a such a waste but what can you do..
I suppose if the police / uni security were to leave a similar note with a date
- you could try and take it the morning of the date without a guilty conscience..

How come somebody steals my well-locked bike in 10 seconds and all these abandoned bikes sit around for months? It aint' fair! :mad:

How come somebody steals my well-locked bike in 10 seconds and all these abandoned bikes sit around for months? It aint' fair! :mad:

You live in Michigan, that's why.

Interesting question. My police department seems to consider any bike that's left unattended is abandoned.

I had a cheap Giant MTB stolen this June. Strangely, where the Giant had been, next to its cut cable lock, was lying a vintage Fuji 10 speed. (It was in cherry condition, and I'm sure worth more than the Giant.)

I called the cops partly to report the theft, but mostly because I wanted to see if the Fuji could be returned to its rightful owner. The cop, when he arrived an hour later, agreed that the thief had undoubtedly left the Fuji behind when he stole my Giant. He wouldn't even take a report on my stolen bike, and he told me there was no way in hell that the owner of the Fuji would ever be found. I asked what he was going to do about the Fuji. "Nothing I can do. I don't want to put it in my trunk so I'm just gonna leave it here. Finder's keepers."

I think what he was really saying is that any bike that's unattended is abandoned, even if it's locked, and it's OK for anybody who comes along to take the "abandoned" bike. Finder's keepers! It left a bad taste in my bike, even though I did ride away on the Fuji, with the cop sitting there watching me take a bike that he knew wasn't mine.

Question is what will you do if the owner sees you riding it and tells you its his bike?

If i find a bike that has sat in the same place for a while and is not road ready ie cables trash chain flats etc ill take it if its worth having for the frame rims etc. To me that says it really is abandoned and no ones coming back for it.

You can take a pix of the bike, add the serial number etc., make two copies. Keep one at home on file and put the other in a ziplock including your name and address. Roll it up and hide it in the seat tube.

At least then if you find or see your stolen bike anywhere you can call a cop, show your ID and explain the situation while extracting the info from the tube.

Make sure to report your stolen bike.

If I were to suggest one modification:

Let's say the thief claimed you were enterprising enough (and in possession of an Allen wrench) such that you staked out his bike the day before, snagged his serial#, made your printout, stuck it in the tube, and went to the cops (farfetched, sure, but let's say).

I'd have some pictures taken with the bike next to something that could establish a time and date. Like, say, next to one of those flashing bank signs that shows time and date. Or a snowdrift.

If I were to suggest one modification:

Let's say the thief claimed you were enterprising enough (and in possession of an Allen wrench) such that you staked out his bike the day before, snagged his serial#, made your printout, stuck it in the tube, and went to the cops (farfetched, sure, but let's say).

I'd have some pictures taken with the bike next to something that could establish a time and date. Like, say, next to one of those flashing bank signs that shows time and date. Or a snowdrift.

Doesn't anyone keep their original receipt any more?

Question is what will you do if the owner sees you riding it and tells you its his bike?

If i find a bike that has sat in the same place for a while and is not road ready ie cables trash chain flats etc ill take it if its worth having for the frame rims etc. To me that says it really is abandoned and no ones coming back for it.

I guess I'll say that a cop gave it to me, and if he can prove it's his I'll give it back with a smile and a handshake.

I felt bad about riding away on somebody else's bike, but I do feel that morally and ethically I'm OK. I made a reasonable effort to locate the rightful owner. Somebody in authority told me that the owner can't be found, so as the finder I get to keep it. In this case it makes as much sense for me to have the bike as anybody else.

I thought of another approach to abandoned bikes that might work. Maybe you could take it to the police station, and leave a description along with your name & address. If nobody claims it within the legally extablished time period, you can freely and honorably take possession of the bike. Another idea: many newspapers print free classified ads for describing found property. Run the ad, and if nobody claims the bike, it's yours.

"Right" is an interesting concept here.

What is right, what is wrong.

In the eyes of the law? In the eyes of your conscience? In the life of the owner of the bike? In your own (or the prospective new owner's) life?

Right in conventional terms?

Right in some ultimate sense?

***
Right in the light of "do unto others as you would..."?

Right in accord with "do no harm"?

Right in accord with "feels right"?

***
Right in terms of consequences for you? (on various levels)

Consequences for others?

***
In terms of *all* ramifications?

(which are probably not foreseeable or calculable)

***
Right in terms of some internal warning system and intuition?

Relativism. It gives me a headache and makes real action impossible.

i saw an abandoned bike today at a bus stop. it was totally stripped, main frame and fork remained.
it's sad/mad to see something like this....
if you have to leave it, secure it... :-(

If in isn't yours, it isn't yours. If it is out on the curb along with the trash, then, I would have no problem with you rescuing it. If it is in a dumpster, fine, go ahead and help yourself. If it is locked up, then, whoever put it there intended for no one else to take it - so you should leave it alone.

If you want to steal a bike that is locked up, then, justify it with any excuse you care to use. It's still stealing in my book. You wouldn't want someone to take your stuff, why take the stuff that belongs to someone else?

Caruso

Interesting question. My police department seems to consider any bike that's left unattended is abandoned.

I had a cheap Giant MTB stolen this June. Strangely, where the Giant had been, next to its cut cable lock, was lying a vintage Fuji 10 speed. (It was in cherry condition, and I'm sure worth more than the Giant.)

I called the cops partly to report the theft, but mostly because I wanted to see if the Fuji could be returned to its rightful owner. The cop, when he arrived an hour later, agreed that the thief had undoubtedly left the Fuji behind when he stole my Giant. He wouldn't even take a report on my stolen bike, and he told me there was no way in hell that the owner of the Fuji would ever be found. I asked what he was going to do about the Fuji. "Nothing I can do. I don't want to put it in my trunk so I'm just gonna leave it here. Finder's keepers."


I had the same thing happen to me in Eugene, but the cop was a little more helpful. My mountain bike was cut from the steps of my house, and the thief left a classic beach cruiser leaning next to the cut lock. An officer took a report of my stolen bike, ran a check to see if the cruiser left by the thief matched any stolen reports, and then officially made the cruiser my bike with a certificate to prove it.

I wouldn't have felt right about keeping the cruiser without checking to be sure it hadn't been reported missing by anyone else. I left it sitting unlocked for three days until the officer came out to do the paperwork. It didn't move those three days, but 1 hour after I signed the form making it my bike, it was stolen in broad daylight... I was pissed.

I did a lot of work on different universities/colleges, and was realy amazed at the things the kids toss out before summer break, at one I watched them toss computers, televisions, stereos, bicycles, scooters, refrigerators, and even a motorcycle once. at another they tossed so many computers and bikes that I parked my truck near the dumpster, with a note to put them in the truck. When I was done for the day there were 9 computers and 5 bikes IN the truck, and several sitting on the ground next to it. most of the computers were less than a year old, and bikes looked like they were never ridden.
starving students my butt.

ken.

Holy Poop! That is unbelievable! It is amazing how much money and material things college kids seem to have. As a college student, I thought I was rich if I had fifteen bucks in my pocket. And where on earth do they get the money to buy all that "Abercrombie and fitch" stuff they all seem to wear? (I don't even know if I spelled that right.)

If this helps: I know the MIT and Harvard campus PD's, as well as the Cambridge PD, auction off bicycles that are never claimed. Some end up in the landfills, but some are bought up by some local shops, reconditioned, and sold to people that want and need them. The Broadway Bicycle school has made a small industry out of restoring and refurbishing old three speeds. Those are a big seller among urban commuters, who want easy to ride bikes.