A somewhat beat up but possibly rideable bike as been laying on its side unlocked and untouched behind my office building for over two weeks now.
What is acceptable protocol here? A co-worker has suggested leaving a note for the owner saying that if not reclaimed by X date, I will ride it away or salvage it for parts. This seems a more considerate option than simply taking it, but I hate to provide a deadline that might never be seen by the owner. Either way, it's rusting up pretty quickly.
I've done this, I've locked the bike, left a note and waited for about a week. I was pretty certain considering the condition of the bike it had been stolen and ditched, never got a call and after a week the seat was gone, I took it home fixed it and gave it away.
If it's laying there unlocked it was probably dumped by a thief or the owner just abandoned it.
I think Tim has the right approach, given that it has been out there for a while now.
Tim's approach is pretty good. I would also drop a description on craigslist and here without providing some key details incase it was stolen. Have anyone who replies name the distinguishing features.
You might be able to find a serial number under the bottom bracket and run it through a search engine.
Thanks all for the advice.
Weird thing. I stepped outside to examine it earlier this morning. This was the first time I actually approached/handled the thing. A few hours later I revisit it to check the serial number and someone had moved it next to a nearby dumpster.
I feel like I'm being watched.
This page suggests looking for the owner's ID by removing the seat post and turning the bike upside down.
I feel like I'm being watched.
you are:
I mis-read the title: Abandonment of etiquette? Wrong way riding? Blasting through pedestrians on teh sidewalk? Farting in trafic?
etc.
if its sits out too long a scrapper will take it, a steel frames worth about thirty cents an aluminumn maybe three or four dollars
