Abandoned Bicycles

We are responsible for removing bicycles from public areas if they are classed as abandoned. A bicycle is classed as abandoned if it meets one or more of the following criteria:

• It is secured in a dangerous position (i.e. blocking the public highway)
• It is secured to a council cycle rack and in an unroadworthy condition (see details below)
• It is secured in an inappropriate place (i.e. illegally parked or chained to street furniture) and in an unroadworthy condition
• When it is reported by a member of the public and assessed as unroadworthy or is in a dangerous position
• When it is noted as not having moved for a reasonable period of time - several weeks.

A bicycle that is defined as unroadworthy will have sustained two or more of the following:

• Flat front/rear/both tyres
• Missing wheel
• Missing seat
• Buckled front/rear/both wheels
• Bent forks
• Seized/damaged brakes
• Rusted chain/gears
• Missing chain 

What happens when a bicycle is abandoned?

Once a bicycle has been identified as potentially abandoned, our City Works team will secure an identifying tag to the bike handlebar. This warns that if the bicycle is not removed by the owner within 14 days, it will be removed by the Council as abandoned.

If there is anything about the bicycle that gives a clue to the identity of the owner, every effort will be made to contact the owner and advise them that their bike is about to be removed as abandoned.

If the bicycle has not been removed by the owner within 14 days, the bicycle will be returned to the City Works depot at Cowley Marsh to be held securely in the compound.

The bicycle will be held for six weeks to enable a claim to be made. If no claim is made after six weeks, the bicycle will be recycled as scrap metal or used in other recycling schemes.

Can I claim my bicyle if I think it has been taken away by the Council?

Yes. Any claimant will be asked to prove the bicycle is his/hers by providing a description of the bicycle (colour, make/model, identifying features) and the location of where the bicycle was left. If the individual can not provide this basic evidence, the bicycle will not be released to the claimant.

How do I report a bicycle as abandoned or claim my bicyle from the Council?

To report a bicycle you think has been abandoned, or if you think your bike may have been removed as abandoned, please contact us using the details on the right of this page.

Page last reviewed 5 Nov 2008