As per title. Looking for ways of getting bikes for the service users of the charity I work for. I thought bikes were only auctioned off but someone has told me that they have heard of donations to Upward Mobility.
There is high possibility that this is misheard or misinterpreted information. Anyone have any knowledge?
Probably the police.
Only ever seen them go to auction, but maybe a letter to your Police and Crime Commissioner explaining how they can be used in the community is worth a punt??
When I was working as an instructor and running bike workshops we used to get mixed bags of frames and parts. These are the ones with little resale value.
Also worth contacting the council about deserted bikes that are removed from stands and railings.
Police sell all unclaimed stolen goods is my understanding.
Yeah, I'm sceptical that they would have the inclination to administer this as as there could be high demand from many charitable organistions and of course responsibilty of H&S checks on bikes among other man hour drains (as it might be seen).
there are probably at least 50 abandoned bikes on the University Park here at Nottingham...
may be worth asking universities to you, as I believe they are just chucked after a certain amount of time
I'm not sure I follow, the Police seize a bike (or anything else) they believe to be stolen, but unless they can work out who it was stolen from how do they prove it's stolen?
Our university remove all bikes during the summer holiday if they don't display a yellow band. Once removed they are given to the Re-cycle charity.
Might be worth asking Universities and also train stations.
I get the low quality police bikes that then go to Africa. So yes they do. Police aid convoys is ours
responsibilty of H&S checks on bikes among other man hour drains
This falls on the recipient.
how do they prove it's stolen?
Scrote of undesirable character and cannot prove ownership has item confiscated.
Mixed bag in Kirklees. Three categories of bikes: Anything worth selling (whole, undamaged, reasonably good quality) goes to auction, anything needing repair or worth cannibalizing goes to recycling charity scheme, basket cases are scrapped.
OP, ring your local police and ask to speak with the stores staff. They will tell you what happens to their bikes. If you want to be considered as a recipient of donated bikes, they'll explain how to get involved.
I'm not sure I follow, the Police seize a bike (or anything else) they believe to be stolen, but unless they can work out who it was stolen from how do they prove it's stolen?
Simple test of reasonableness. Can the scrote account for it? Last one I heard of was a teen on a customized Nukeproof Mega who told the cops his Dad got it from Halfords for £200.00. They never found the owner, but would you give it him back?
And anyway, most of the bikes in police stores tend to be stuff that has been abandoned. Members of the public have a distressing habit of telling the police it looks like it's been stolen and dumped, and is quite an expensive bike. The poor bobby then rocks up to find a rusting heap of 1990s two-wheeled gaspipe and instead of scrapping it has to take it to the stores. Unclaimed after a couple of months the bike will probably end up on some council-led yoof scheme with erstwhile ne'er-do-wells learning to index twistgrip gears and adjust plastic brake calipers.
Scapegoat - do you know which auction houses take the better stuff around W Yorks?
Bidders in Bradford I think
there are probably at least 50 abandoned bikes on the University Park here at Nottingham...
Mine was stolen from Beeston Flats in 1988 - maroon, 5 speed, drop bars. Sorry can't remember any more details but see if it's there will ya 😉
I've emailed Police Scotland but I don't think there's much likelihood of anything being suitable. Having a fairly decent standard of reliable bikes is important as we won't have the time to be forever fixing things (we probably being just me). Just wanted to check as I've encouraged a few folk to take up cycling (I'm very pleased about that) who are looking at ways of affording a bike for themselves.
edit: double post
I thought most ended up [url= http://www.bumblebeeauctions.co.uk/XcAPViewInCat.asp?ID=24 ]here[/url]
Scotland? Whereabouts, I'll ask the lady downstairs what we do with ours.
Apparently ours go to a stopping kids being naughty charity in Dingwall, so it appears there is no bar to them being given away for such a reason.
Having a fairly decent standard of reliable bikes is important as we won't have the time to be forever fixing things (we probably being just me). Just wanted to check as I've encouraged a few folk to take up cycling (I'm very pleased about that) who are looking at ways of affording a bike for themselves.
Can you work on them as a project with the new owners? Nothing quite like getting a bag of bits and turning it into something usable again.
When I was involved, one of the local PCSOs was a keen rider and helped to move things along.
I believe Surrey Police give some/all of their bikes to the local bike project.
Mine was stolen from Beeston Flats in 1988 - maroon, 5 speed, drop bars. Sorry can't remember any more details but see if it's there will ya
Ahaa, will keep an eye out! 😉