Toronto begins bike-removal blitz, targeting derelict, abandoned bikes in preparation for winter

Toronto cyclists, heads up: if you’ve left derelict, abandoned or neglected bikes of any kind locked to a ring-and-post for more than a month, city staff will be coming to take it.

Starting this morning, Nov. 16, the City of Toronto is making the rounds from one end of town to the other, removing abandoned bikes from the sidewalks as winter bears steadily down. Workers, reports say, will be looking primarily for signs of neglect: missed or damaged parts, stripped wheels, flat tires, or any other sign that the bike is a derelict junk heap. Bikes that are obviously unfit to roll will be taken immediately, no notice provided whatsoever.

If, however, it’s a bit less clear whether or not the bike is in roadworthy condition — theres’s rust on the frame, or two flat tires, maybe, but little else wrong with the ride — workers will leave a notice attached to the frame or the seatpost, saying that the bike will be removed in 14 days unless the owner takes action. Even if the bike is simply moved to a different location nearby, it won’t be confiscated, staff say.

The principle issue is if a bike has been left untouched for more than a month, something the city is asking residents to report. If residents also see any derelict bikes that are the mechanical equivalent of roadkill, utterly unusable, they’re asked to give city staff a shout.

Torontonians can do so by calling 311.