When can I dispose of a bike?

Person_one

If it wasn't such a simple one I'd wonder if you'd dialled the wrong number!

Here's some alternatives in case you struggle getting through again.

Might be an idea to ring them now when it might be quieter?

Savvy_Sue

Person_one wrote: »

If it wasn't such a simple one I'd wonder if you'd dialled the wrong number!

Here's some alternatives in case you struggle getting through again.

Might be an idea to ring them now when it might be quieter?

Our 101 is definitely manned 24/7 (city), but I wonder if the OP's is only answered when the station is 'open'? Could be worth finding out when that is.

We can also tweet, facebook and email the police.

And we are encouraged to report losts and founds online.

If you have a local bike recycling project, they might be willing to come out and see if the bike is marked, or have ideas about other places you could advertise it.

What seems really odd is to abandon it with the light flashing!

Pop_Up_Pirate

swingaloo wrote: »

Thanks, I will try the 101 again tomorrow. The message always says 'Sorry there is no one to take your call, we are all out at the moment but will return your call within 24 hours'.

The sad thing is that on one of the local websites there are several people looking for bikes which have been stolen and some have been the same make but they are never the right colour. Obviously I have not put a picture on the websites as someone could just say 'Ah yes thats mine' and I dont want to hand it over to a chancer.

I will try again but Im hesitant to put it back outside at the front. Ive recently moved and had to dispose of an old fridge which was left in this house. The neighbour told me to put it out at the front and it literally took less than 30 mins for a scrap man to take it. I then found an old freezer had been left in the shed so I did the same with that and it went in less than 2 hours. I would rather the bike went to its owner than to the scrap man.

If the owner wanted it, he wouldn't have left it.

Put it back where you found it.

[Deleted User]

https://checkthatbike.co.uk

Is there a serial number on it? I'd go with the theory of pinched and dumped, and therefore the proper owner would have no chance to see your note outside. If you can find them on the register, you can contact them directly.

Thanks for trying to do the right thing by the bike owner, I hope you do get the bike back to them, and that they are appreciative of all your efforts.

Malthusian

Person_one wrote: »

People don't just abandon their own bikes with the lights still on

People certainly do abandon their bikes in order to recycle them. Boliston's done it, I've done it twice. The communal bike shed I use often contains unwanted bikes that have been left leaning against the walls for the other cyclists to use or cannibalise.

The bike was left there without a lock on. No-one responded to the message the OP left in its place so that rules out the possibility that someone left it there for a few minutes having forgotten to lock it. It's clearly been abandoned. The lights were on either because the cyclist didn't notice or maybe he thought it would attract attention and be removed quicker. If it's not causing a nuisance I'd put it back where it was.

lika_86

What if the person on it was abducted? By aliens or otherwise....

annandale

The bike might have been stolen before it was dumped

Person_one

annandale wrote: »

The bike might have been stolen before it was dumped

Seems far more likely than its actual owner just randomly dropping it in a residential area mid journey!

Person_one

Person_one wrote: »

If it wasn't such a simple one I'd wonder if you'd dialled the wrong number!

Here's some alternatives in case you struggle getting through again.

Might be an idea to ring them now when it might be quieter?

Oops, I forgot to actually post the alternatives!

https://www.police.uk/contact/#alternative-numbers

Malthusian

Person_one wrote: »

Seems far more likely than its actual owner just randomly dropping it in a residential area mid journey!

Someone steals a bike, joy-cycles into a random residential area, abandons it and... what, walks home or takes a taxi?

Much more likely that it belongs to someone in a nearby house who has dumped it.