General Cycling Discussion - light post scavenging

I saw what looked like an abandoned bike locked to a light post. Both wheels were gone, the drive train and any thing else moveable was rusted to a crisp, and all the wires were in a gordian state. Only thing is, it still had a rack on the back: something i need. Would it be fair to say that I could ethically just go and yoink it, or would it still be wrong. Obviously it's illegal, but is it right?
If it were in a dumpster, sure, free for all. But locked up to a municipal lamp post?

I have no morals. I say yank it!
If someone left a bike locked up and abandoned it, it's about as good as in the trash.
Don't listen to those people who say the owner will eventually return, cause seriously, who locks their bike up in public for a month.

sounds environmentally friendly to me... reuse, recycle
technically, it is stealing, but i'd do it

according to your description it seems to be that it´s been there for a while, but wait for a day or two to make sure it´s abandoned and then take it before someone does.

It could also be a test to see how many people take something off of it???? Hummm what to do????

do it at night and wear all black. Have a get away car ready, or bike for that matter

Take it.

do it at night and wear all black. Have a get away car ready, or bike for that matter

Negative. Broad daylight is your best bet. Wearing all black and creeping around at night is just asking for trouble. :p

Negative. Broad daylight is your best bet. Wearing all black and creeping around at night is just asking for trouble. :p


ok fine, but at least wear plastic gloves or put glue on your fingers(my favorite)... ;)

I used to work near LA Harbor.
Cars used to show up every once in a while and appear to be abbandoned.
They would sit a few days, then someone would take the first item off of it, then the rest would follow in short order until just a carcus was left.

Take it and wave to the hidden camera. Then look for yourself on the premiere episode of "Good People Gone Bad" on Fox Sundays this Fall.

:)

55/Rad

My rule is that I'll cut a bike off of the bike rack if the chain is rusted and drivetrain unusable unless replaced. So if the drivetrains looks unusable then jack it. Because they weren't riding their bike enough anyway if their drivetrain is that coroded.

Dude it's not stealing by any definition. You can just walk up and take it. While anyone can leave their bike locked to a meter or lamp post legally in most cities it's not allowed to remain there indefinately. Most cities also can't afford to come around more than once a year or every 2 years to clean the drek up. As you describe it it's abandoned, take it, it's yours. You're removing an eyesore, saving the city money and providing another parking space for someone who does ride. Reclaiming abondoned property not regulated by a licensing body (you can't just take cars or boats or vacant lots you find abandoned) is as legal as bending over to pick up a discarded half empty bag of chips to deposit into the trash. Once you've picked them up if you decide to eat them instead, knock yourself out.

well, I did take Schumius' advice. Well, actually my own timidity. I waited. Then when I went back, in the early afternoon, it was gone! Not two days later. Bloody hell. And they were only attached via hex bolts. So be that a lesson to the rest of you: if there's something you want, gank it, and don't wait.

WTF? You're gonna take the rack off and NOT free the bike? What kind of scumbag are you. Free the bike, save it's life or if it's too late, give it a proper burial.

Some people have no respect.

Leave no bike behind!

well, I did take Schumius' advice. Well, actually my own timidity. I waited. Then when I went back, in the early afternoon, it was gone! Not two days later. Bloody hell. And they were only attached via hex bolts. So be that a lesson to the rest of you: if there's something you want, gank it, and don't wait.oh my god! what have i done! forgive me 2mtr!

you're fired Schumius!!

you can´t fire me! i uttered the bike famous "veni vidi bici"!