found bike ettiquette
03-28-11, 08:39 PM
#1
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found bike ettiquette
I found an abandoned bike. I posted it on a couple of email lists n web site and left an obvious note where it was found but so far no response. My question is- how long should I wait before I part this sucker out?
03-28-11, 10:33 PM
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one week if you wanna be a nice guy. also depends on what sort of bike you are dealing with. if it looks "abandonable"... it probably was. IF it's a nice well cared for bike on the other hand, you might want to put more effort into finding the rightful owner.
03-29-11, 04:56 AM
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this comes up occasionally. We just had a long thread about having your bike taken under these circumstances. Just leave the bike, it's not yours.
03-29-11, 08:29 AM
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I'd rather have a BF member find my bike (abandoned or not), than some random kid on the street who'll ride it once and let it rot in his own backyard.
03-29-11, 09:02 AM
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I'd say call the cops and ask them if anyone reported it stolen (assuming you found it in the ditch somewhere). If it's locked to something (no matter how badly in disrepair) that's for the cops to take as abandoned (or not) and you should not touch it.
03-29-11, 10:00 AM
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If it's locked it's probably not abandoned, unless it's been there for 4 to 6 months, so yeah leaving a big note saying that this bike will be removed if not claimed is the right thing to do. Doing this after a week is really just stealing the bike imo.
I mention whether it's locked or not because some people will just park their bike on the sidewalk as they don't have room in their apt. or live in a walk-up. But having a lock on the bike doesn't necessarily mean it's the owners lock. I've caught a bike thief who cut the owner's lock (in the middle of the night) and moved it a couple of blocks and put his own lock on it (I followed him), I guess he did this so if someone had called the police he wouldn't be caught riding it. Well the police and I caught up with him and recovered the bike that night for the owner.
Basically leave the bike and/or call the police who should be able to store it until it's reported missing.
I mention whether it's locked or not because some people will just park their bike on the sidewalk as they don't have room in their apt. or live in a walk-up. But having a lock on the bike doesn't necessarily mean it's the owners lock. I've caught a bike thief who cut the owner's lock (in the middle of the night) and moved it a couple of blocks and put his own lock on it (I followed him), I guess he did this so if someone had called the police he wouldn't be caught riding it. Well the police and I caught up with him and recovered the bike that night for the owner.
Basically leave the bike and/or call the police who should be able to store it until it's reported missing.
03-29-11, 10:09 AM
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What is the brand and general condition?
03-29-11, 10:17 AM
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Report it to the local police station. Usually, with found property that is not reported stolen or lost, it will be yours to claim from the police in 30 days if nobody comes forward.
03-29-11, 10:38 AM
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If I take the bike and part it out after one or a hundred weeks I am a bike thief. That limits my available options to either walking away or taking responsibility for getting it back into the hands of the owner. If I walk away some bike thief may well take it, but I'd rather not become a thief myself.
03-29-11, 11:02 AM
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if you can't find the owner, donate it. there are probably services in your area that give out bikes to needy people, or could use one.
03-29-11, 12:02 PM
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If I take the bike and part it out after one or a hundred weeks I am a bike thief. That limits my available options to either walking away or taking responsibility for getting it back into the hands of the owner. If I walk away some bike thief may well take it, but I'd rather not become a thief myself.
If you read the OP's note closely, he states: "and left an obvious note where it was found". The OP has already taken the bike, and is working to justify profiting from selling off the parts.
I'm sure there's room sometimes for some judgment calls. What bothers me is that too often these threads seem to come about because someone *wants* to find a reason to take a bike that isn't his.
03-29-11, 05:32 PM
#14
Commander, UFO Bike
Not long ago, I found a relativly nice bike just leaning against a tree next to my apartment. Nobody was around the bike, so I watched it for a half hour. When nobody approached it, nor was around, I called the PD's non-emergency number, and they sent out a cruiser. (EDIT: that took about another half hour)
I identified myself to the officer, and asked about the proceedure to claim the bike if the owner wasn't located. I was told that I have to publish in a local paper a "found" notice (which turned out to be free) for two weeks. Submit a written request for the property w/in ten days of it being impounded. Then after 90 days, if the owner hasn't come forward, I will be informed, and can claim it.
I suspect that I'll be getting a call sometime in May telling me to come get the bike. After that, I'll either part the thing out, or donate it to a charity.
This little bit of legal info was found with a very fast google search...
Playing by the rules protects you from any legal repercussions
I identified myself to the officer, and asked about the proceedure to claim the bike if the owner wasn't located. I was told that I have to publish in a local paper a "found" notice (which turned out to be free) for two weeks. Submit a written request for the property w/in ten days of it being impounded. Then after 90 days, if the owner hasn't come forward, I will be informed, and can claim it.
I suspect that I'll be getting a call sometime in May telling me to come get the bike. After that, I'll either part the thing out, or donate it to a charity.
Oregon's statutes on Lost, Unordered and Unclaimed Property
98.005. Responsibilities of finders of money or goods
(1) If any person finds money or goods valued at $100 or more, and if the owner of the money or goods is unknown, such person, within 10 days after the date of the finding, shall give notice of the finding in writing to the county clerk of the county in which the money or goods was found. Within 20 days after the date of the finding, the finder of the money or goods shall cause to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county a notice of the finding once each week for two consecutive weeks. Each such notice shall state the general description of the money or goods found, the name and address of the finder and final date before which such goods may be claimed.
(2) If no person appears and establishes ownership of the money or goods prior to the expiration of three months after the date of the notice to the county clerk under subsection (1) of this section, the finder shall be the owner of the money or goods.
98.005. Responsibilities of finders of money or goods
(1) If any person finds money or goods valued at $100 or more, and if the owner of the money or goods is unknown, such person, within 10 days after the date of the finding, shall give notice of the finding in writing to the county clerk of the county in which the money or goods was found. Within 20 days after the date of the finding, the finder of the money or goods shall cause to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county a notice of the finding once each week for two consecutive weeks. Each such notice shall state the general description of the money or goods found, the name and address of the finder and final date before which such goods may be claimed.
(2) If no person appears and establishes ownership of the money or goods prior to the expiration of three months after the date of the notice to the county clerk under subsection (1) of this section, the finder shall be the owner of the money or goods.
Winnipeg Property and Exhibits Unit
Unclaimed Property
With some restrictions and conditions, finders are permitted to claim property if it is unclaimed by an owner after 90 days. If a correct address was provided when turning the property in, you will receive a phone call advising of claim procedures and expiry dates. You may, if you have not heard anything, contact this office at (204) 986-6280 to inquire about return.
The following describes return restrictions and includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(a) Firearms/ammunition/fireworks (including air rifles/ammo) of any kind are not returned to finders.
(b) Anything which would bring discredit to the police or hinder police efforts to make Winnipeg a safe community (i.e. pornographic materials, radar detectors, liquor/alcohol, prescription and non-prescription narcotics/pills, unsafe products of any type, etc) are not returned to finders.
(c) Cash amounts less than 25 dollars are not returned to finders.
(d) Any items that are prohibited to possess (prohibited knives, etc) are not returned to finders.
(e) Hazardous goods of any kind (including blood contaminated products and other biohazards) are not returned to finders.
(f) Any item that a lawful owner has been identified for, but is unclaimed (includes wallets and contents, purses, tote bags, etc) are not returned to finders.
(g) Any technical product that contains information therein that could potentially result in private information being released to a third party unknowingly (ie. computers, cell phones, personal organizers and in some cases digital camera’s (dependent on content/deletion capabilities), etc. are not returned to finders.
(h) Unsafe item(s) or anything that cannot be proven as safe to use/operate such as Baby seats, strollers, motorcycle helmets, etc. are not returned to finders.
(i) Anything else, at the discretion of Property staff, that is considered not suitable for return for a variety of reasons/circumstances not covered above. In these cases you may contact our office for an explanation if required.
No notification is given for items that will not be returned. You will only be notified if the item is unclaimed AND able to be returned to you.
Unclaimed Property
With some restrictions and conditions, finders are permitted to claim property if it is unclaimed by an owner after 90 days. If a correct address was provided when turning the property in, you will receive a phone call advising of claim procedures and expiry dates. You may, if you have not heard anything, contact this office at (204) 986-6280 to inquire about return.
The following describes return restrictions and includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(a) Firearms/ammunition/fireworks (including air rifles/ammo) of any kind are not returned to finders.
(b) Anything which would bring discredit to the police or hinder police efforts to make Winnipeg a safe community (i.e. pornographic materials, radar detectors, liquor/alcohol, prescription and non-prescription narcotics/pills, unsafe products of any type, etc) are not returned to finders.
(c) Cash amounts less than 25 dollars are not returned to finders.
(d) Any items that are prohibited to possess (prohibited knives, etc) are not returned to finders.
(e) Hazardous goods of any kind (including blood contaminated products and other biohazards) are not returned to finders.
(f) Any item that a lawful owner has been identified for, but is unclaimed (includes wallets and contents, purses, tote bags, etc) are not returned to finders.
(g) Any technical product that contains information therein that could potentially result in private information being released to a third party unknowingly (ie. computers, cell phones, personal organizers and in some cases digital camera’s (dependent on content/deletion capabilities), etc. are not returned to finders.
(h) Unsafe item(s) or anything that cannot be proven as safe to use/operate such as Baby seats, strollers, motorcycle helmets, etc. are not returned to finders.
(i) Anything else, at the discretion of Property staff, that is considered not suitable for return for a variety of reasons/circumstances not covered above. In these cases you may contact our office for an explanation if required.
No notification is given for items that will not be returned. You will only be notified if the item is unclaimed AND able to be returned to you.
Last edited by K'Tesh; 03-30-11 at 10:09 AM.
03-29-11, 05:40 PM
#15
The Drive Side is Within
When I drive the kids to piano lessons across town, I drive along a stretch of road that is particularly good for bulk trash pickings. I traded a botteccia to frogbutter that I found this way.
Well, Saturday I brought the previa to a halt next to a tall framed raleigh laying on the curb. Score.
I took a good look around, and sure enough it belonged to a bottle deposit collector whose head I saw just over the cliff down by the beach-- he was returning from collecting from the trash bins down by the parking lot.
Whoops!
Well, Saturday I brought the previa to a halt next to a tall framed raleigh laying on the curb. Score.
I took a good look around, and sure enough it belonged to a bottle deposit collector whose head I saw just over the cliff down by the beach-- he was returning from collecting from the trash bins down by the parking lot.
Whoops!
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The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets. Christopher Morley
The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets. Christopher Morley
03-29-11, 06:02 PM
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When I drive the kids to piano lessons across town, I drive along a stretch of road that is particularly good for bulk trash pickings. I traded a botteccia to frogbutter that I found this way.
Well, Saturday I brought the previa to a halt next to a tall framed raleigh laying on the curb. Score.
I took a good look around, and sure enough it belonged to a bottle deposit collector whose head I saw just over the cliff down by the beach-- he was returning from collecting from the trash bins down by the parking lot.
Whoops!
Well, Saturday I brought the previa to a halt next to a tall framed raleigh laying on the curb. Score.
I took a good look around, and sure enough it belonged to a bottle deposit collector whose head I saw just over the cliff down by the beach-- he was returning from collecting from the trash bins down by the parking lot.
Whoops!
Now, if it wasn't his, but truly was abandoned, you'd leave the note, never get a call, and have a bike. How is this bad?
03-29-11, 06:43 PM
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Call the police, I believe they will actually pick it up, then if anyone reports it missing and then describes it, it'll be returned to it's rightfully owner.
03-29-11, 08:06 PM
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Which I'm thinking is what the OP did. Had you not seen him, but taken it and left a note saying "If this was your bike, I have it. Here's my number:", he could call and get it back. I don't see this as theft at all...
Now, if it wasn't his, but truly was abandoned, you'd leave the note, never get a call, and have a bike. How is this bad?
Now, if it wasn't his, but truly was abandoned, you'd leave the note, never get a call, and have a bike. How is this bad?
03-29-11, 08:25 PM
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And consider the situations when you make pathos appeals. The homeless have their bike on them all the time. It's what they use to carry things and what they use to get around everywhere. I don't think they would leave their bike more than eyeshot away, if they were collecting bottles further than that they'd be bringing their bike. While it's a sad thought, it's not something that happens, especially if you actually care that you wouldn't be stealing a bike enough to check all the logical parts.
03-29-11, 09:09 PM
#20
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03-30-11, 06:21 AM
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Not long ago, I found a relativly nice bike just leaning against a tree next to my apartment. Nobody was around the bike, so I watched it for a half hour. When nobody approached it, nor was around, I called the PD's non-emergency number, and they sent out a cruiser.
Well, Saturday I brought the previa to a halt next to a tall framed raleigh laying on the curb. Score.
Some on this thread are just looking for excuses to take what is not theirs to take. That's the way I see it.
03-30-11, 07:20 AM
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03-30-11, 08:01 AM
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a co-worker had an accident and was removed by ambulance. They left his bike, unlocked, in a campus bike rack. Fortunately nobody "found" his damaged bike.
03-30-11, 09:41 AM
#24
Commander, UFO Bike
So you waited a whole 30 minutes? Maybe someone was just visiting a friend at the apartment. Not everyone reads the paper. I never do. So if you "found" my bike and took it like that, you'd end up owning it legally, but not morally...
Some on this thread are just looking for excuses to take what is not theirs to take. That's the way I see it.
Some on this thread are just looking for excuses to take what is not theirs to take. That's the way I see it.
I'll add that in my situation, I live on a busy street, and "your" bike was just leaning up against a tree on the street side of our complex, not in the complex itself. There is nothing preventing you from bringing your bike to your friend's apartment (rules, or physical barriers, and we also have fences that conceal things on our patios). I also live near a major public transportation hub, and it is common for thieves to grab unlocked bikes then ditch them around the area when they are "done" with them (it had a flat tire), which is what I suspect happened here.
I wanted to make sure that if the bike had/has been reported stolen that the owner has a chance to get it back, rather than letting it be picked up by someone less worried about who it belongs to, and them not getting any chance at all.
BTW, If you are missing a Mountain bike since Feb 2011, I turned one into the Beaverton Police Dept. Contact them before May 22 2011 to claim. Also, if you lost your love seat and lazyboy recliner on 3/25/11, you can also call to claim them too (found those in the bike lane).
PS: WWJD? I'd base my answer on Matthew 13:44 "...like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." (NIV, 1984) of course, that was concerning Heaven, and we are the treasure in this parable. "The man" (Jesus) suffered and died for all our sins to buy us.
God Bless!
Last edited by K'Tesh; 03-30-11 at 11:17 AM.
03-30-11, 12:22 PM
#25
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Your location seems to be in Canada, so Canadian law and social conventions apply. In Texas, found property should be reported to the police. If unclaimed, the finder can request possession of the property after a set amount of time. I don't care what the local etiquette is, I would report it to police.
In a worst-case scenario, that bike may have been reported stolen, or may be part of a missing person case or other investigation, and being caught with it could have legal consequences.
In a worst-case scenario, that bike may have been reported stolen, or may be part of a missing person case or other investigation, and being caught with it could have legal consequences.
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