Have you ever wondered what happens to those disassembled and stripped bikes that remain locked to the rack for days, weeks or months on end?
The Physical Plant Department, in collaboration with UNMPD, is in charge of removing abandoned bicycles, as well as bicycles that are unsuitably secured at or near building entrances, handrails or locations other than designated bicycle lockers or racks.
“PPD's established policy for bike removal has been in place for the last 10 years,” said Willie West, acting associate director of PPD’s Environmental Services. “This policy was put in place because of the large amount of abandoned bicycles found on campus.”
For those orphaned bikes, the process begins at the end of each semester.
Members of PPD start the process by photographing and placing yellow tags on bicycle parts and bicycles that look abandoned.
These tags not only have a tracking number, but contain the location and a description of the bicycle or part.
After the photographing and tagging is complete, PPD completes a tracking sheet with all the necessary information and the bicycle’s serial number. If it is able to be located, PPD then enters the information into a database, that allows for bicycles to be cross-referenced with a list of stolen bicycles.
If any bicycle is confirmed as stolen, it is transported to the UNM Police impound.
Following 10 calendar days, remaining tagged bicycles and parts will be removed by PPD. Bicycles are handled with care, but all locks are removed.
They are then moved to UNMPD for verification of recorded serial numbers, tracking numbers and photos.
After this process is complete, UNMPD signs off on a tracking sheet to transport the bicycles and bicycle parts to a private auction company, something that is new to the process this year.
That company, Bentley and Associates, LLC, will also perform a thorough inventory upon delivery, eventually signing off on a tracking sheet.
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West said this change was implemented earlier this year.
“In order to comply with state law, pertaining to the way the bicycles are auctioned,” West said, “the auction no longer occurs through the UNM Police Department, but rather an outside vendor.”
If a bicycle is identified as stolen, but is not connected to an active police investigation, it will be held by UNMPD for 90 calendar days to provide time for the owner to claim their property.
UNMPD Lieutenant Tim Stump said they see a consistent increase in bicycle thefts in the first two months of the fall semester.
“The thefts decrease through the winter, and pick up in March through the end of school,” Stump said. “The pattern has remained consistent in past years.”
Adequate proof of ownership must be submitted before retrieval of bikes. Within five business days after paperwork has been submitted, the owner can pick it up, unless specific conditions authorize a delay.
Following the 90 days, if the bicycle has not been claimed, it goes to auction. Any funds are immediately transferred to the State of New Mexico general fund.
Bicycles that are forcibly removed from an owner being arrested and convicted of a criminal offense may be subject to forfeiture, under the New Mexico Forfeiture Act.
These bicycles are also held for the 90-day period, unless UNMPD is given justifiable reason to extend the period.
Stump said bicycle registrations are held at the beginning of the semester right on through Safety Week. By documenting bicycles, the process in recovering a stolen bike is much quicker.
With the arrival of fall, bike registrations are available at the Police Department located at 2500 Campus Blvd. NE in Hokona Hall, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
“We recommend the use of U locks to secure bikes,” Stump said. “Although they’re not completely fail-proof.”
Regarding bicycles parked inappropriately, UNMPD is typically directly contacted by campus faculty and staff.
Often times bikes are inadequately parked at building entrances, sidewalk ramps and stairs, which can cause a safety hazard for pedestrians.
Sarah Trujillo is a news reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @sarahtweets_abq.
