I am asking this here, feeling that you are the guys that typically come across these items, being on the lookout for bikes.

Along the way to work, I've noticed an abandoned bike. It's been sitting aside a phone pole for about a week. It's a fairly modern bike of an upright, english touring bike design. Going by on the way to work I cannot see the brand or gearing situation, as I'm moving along too fast. I can see there is no apparent lock. I am surprised it has been there that long.

The locale is a kind of a dead zone, at the edge of an airport where the trailer courts and section 8 begins, and a few businesses nearby. The nearest business or abode is prob a quarter mile away, so I figure some kid grabbed it rode close home and left it before Mom or Dad might see him.

Anyway it appears to be a ditched stolen bike.

So, what are my salvage rights? I plan to not resale it but to ride or if it does not fit, give it away to a charity.

Should I pick it up? I've taken a stolen/ditched bike before, but that was after it sat for three months.