Bike Thieves Beware: Phila Streets Department is Stealing Bikes Too

Looks like the city is continuing to “Unlitter Us!” – this time with damaged bikes clogging up the racks.

The Philadelphia Streets Department announced that they’re removing “abandoned’ bicycles throughout Center City & surrounding areas starting in early summer.  “Abandoned bikes” are classified as:

• Missing or damaged parts
• In unusable condition
• Have been locked in same location for 1 month or more

Citizens can call the city’s 311 tipline to report abandoned bikes, providing info with location of bike & ‘distinguishing details’.

To avoid taking wrong bikes, the City will tag bikes 1 week before the scheduled removal to allow owners to remove their bikes.  Therefore, those of you with shitty/dilapidated bikes or storing your 70’s Schwinn on the same rack endlessly (who just flipped off that driver…) may want to check on your bikes to check for a marking or added slip.  These bike cleanups will occur twice per year.

For those of you who purposely abandoned your bike, don’t worry – they will be donated to local charities for refurbishment.

Pic courtesy of Cycle There