BIKE: White Bicycle Program

[mike]

Thanks for the information Stephen,  I'm posting this back to the list, with
some items x'd out so you don't get flooded with phone calls.

So I guess finding out from UT when their annual auction is would be one
tack, and also finding out from Yellow Bike Group what they do with warped
bicycles that they receive.

Again, appreciate the info,

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Stephen.Kreidler at xxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 2:04 PM
To: mike
Subject: RE: BIKE: White Bicycle Program


Hey Mike,

I'm the Engineering Tech for the City Bike Program.  I outlined a program
for removing abandoned bikes from City Right of Way racks and in researching
the process contacted UT.  They have a pretty good registration program so
have some means of contacting registered owners, and still have plenty of
bikes at auction every year.

Some of the issues that prevent us from engaging in this activity routinely
are: public notice that a bike (regardless of condition)has been removed and
will be distributed, storage for bikes removed from parking, bike must be
abandoned for one year (6 months I thought was realistic) and a criteria for
establishing this abandonment time frame must be developed developed,
database of removed bikes in the event some one actually contacts you,
notification that a bike has been distributed.  Yellow Bike was my choice
too.  On the two occasions we have removed a bike, one was essentially
destroyed from having tipped over into a parking space.  Cut the frame and
cables and hauled it away.  Left the lock in place.  The second bike was in
protected parking and had 2 flats and a rusty chain.  Left a note where it
had been parked, kept it stored nearby for three months, took it to Yellow
Bike.  THAT DAY the owner appeared and wanted it back.  It belonged to his
wife, it had sentamental value, and they were moving out of town the next
morning.  He was out of luck man.  But it happens.  He took it okay, the
next guy might not then you got a bucket of trouble you don't want or
deserve.

The burden of record keeping is too much for our small staff.  I wish there
was more we could do as a City Program.

Colly Kreidler, Engineering Technician
City of Austin
Transportation, Planning and Sustainability Department
Bicycle and Pedestrian Program
1011 San Jacinto St.
P. O. Box 1088
Austin, TX 78767

-----Original Message-----
From: mike [mailto:mike]
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 11:19 AM
To: 'forum'
Subject: BIKE: White Bicycle Program


Does anyone on the list work or attend school at UT, ACC and AISD and can
find out from the respective campus police where abandoned bicycles (usually
vandalized) are taken when they are cut off of bike racks and rails.  I was
thinking that if we could start collecting them, we could have some sources
for the white bicycle program.

The horrifying news about Andy Whitelock reminded me that we should make
some forward progress on this.

Mike Conwell
Austin Citizens for Personal Rapid Transit
PO Box 161972
Austin, TX  78716-1972
512.413.4058

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