Abandoned bikes to be identified, removed from campus

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The University of Michigan Grounds Department is gearing up to identify and remove abandoned bicycles from bike racks on the Ann Arbor campus beginning Nov. 1.

Brightly colored tags will be placed on bikes that show signs of abandonment, such as bent rims, rusted or broken chains, deteriorated tires or frozen brakes, cables or shifters.

An abandoned bike on the Ann Arbor campus is photographed
An abandoned bike on the Ann Arbor campus is photographed for a record that will be sent to the U-M Police Department. (Photo courtesy of Grounds Department)

Each tag and bike will be photographed and have its location, model, color, serial number and registration documented, if available. This information will be provided to the U-M Police Department.

Tagged bikes left on campus after Nov. 15 will be considered abandoned and will be removed by the Grounds Department.

Bicycle owners who want to retrieve their bikes should contact the U-M Grounds Department at 734-763-5539. All collected bicycles will be donated to a local nonprofit to be refurbished and donated to Michigan schools.

The program, which launched in 2016, has since removed more than 1,000 abandoned bicycles campus to make room in the bike racks.

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