Originally Posted by
Quel
I think in DC, some city authority will mark your bike with a tag that says your bike will get removed in a certain amount of days. If no one claims the bike and/or moves it, they break the lock and move the bike themselves. I imagine something similar is available in NY.
In DC, you can request the removal of an abandoned bike by calling 311 or by going to dc.gov and filling out a service request form (though who knows how long it will be before the removal actually happens).
This is DC's law: "A person may secure a bicycle to a stanchion for a period of not more than the twelve (12) consecutive hours, by means of a lock or similar device, in accordance with the requirements of §1209.2....
.....The Director may remove from public space and impound any bicycle which is in violation of this chapter, or which is being operated in violation of this chapter." Info comes from
http://www.massbike.org/resources/dclaw.htm