doopdoopbedoop Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 Right, this isn't as obvious as "Should (my friend) steal a bike or not?", honest! Everyday, cycling through the suburbs of London you can see 'bikes' chained to the hoops concreted into the pavement. Some of these bikes have had the thief treatment already - wheels nicked or kicked in etc - but with frames that are in perfectly good nick, and generally a few accessories too. These ex-bikes, if left for a while, will get taken away by the council and generally crushed or recycled. My question is, is it morally wrong for my friend to cut one of these free and use it to build up a better commuting bike than he has already? It's a form of recycling, but clearly illegal even though the owner has obviously abandoned the bike.... Thoughts?Just for the record, I think that people who steal full bikes are fucking wankers- anyone who thinks they want to comment saying that I'm anything like that lot can keep it to themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam F Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 I can't see why not, i wouldn't call you a wanker for it sooo.Also, while we are on topic of stealing bikes.. i came up with a great idea if your a bike thief. Get 2 big badass locks and lock someone elses bike up that they have locked up, they will come back and realise they won't be able to get it free and most likely leave it over night, during that night take your lock off cut theres off and yeah your away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hannah Shucksmith Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 It's still stealing.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anzo Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 I suppose it's not really bad if its proven to be left there...although it'll still be theft regardless, so if the police happen to see him cutting the chain, he'll be screwed.Question is, how long do you have to leave it for to be considered abandoned? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revolver Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 I can't see why not, i wouldn't call you a wanker for it sooo.Also, while we are on topic of stealing bikes.. i came up with a great idea if your a bike thief. Get 2 big badass locks and lock someone elses bike up that they have locked up, they will come back and realise they won't be able to get it free and most likely leave it over night, during that night take your lock off cut theres off and yeah your away.People already do that.I can understand how nicking an abandoned frame is recycling, but I'd still not do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doopdoopbedoop Posted November 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 (edited) Essentially yes, but at the same time you could say "From who?". Yes, legally the purchaser of the bike still owns it, but if they have abandoned it and the only place it is going is to the council to allow them to make more cash then I couldn't find a reason for him not to...EDIT: That was to hannah, you guys are too quick!On the "how long till it's considered abandoned?" thought... I honestly don't know. There is a prime example next to my work that has been there a good month/6 weeks. Anyone know how long the councils would leave it? Or is it just when they notice one? It's an impossible question to answer really. Edited November 20, 2008 by /JD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anzo Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 On the "how long till it's considered abandoned?" thought... I honestly don't know. There is a prime example next to my work that has been there a good month/6 weeks. Anyone know how long the councils would leave it? Or is it just when they notice one? It's an impossible question to answer really.I actually imagine its the same with suspected abandoned cars - serve a notice for it to be moved within X days otherwise is will be considered abandoned and thus destroyed. If it's after a month, I'd say you'd be ok to take it - its clearly not missed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomm Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 My feelings are is that if it's been there for 2-3 months then you're right - no one will miss it and morally you can probably recycle it. Just don't get caught sawing through the lock... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synergy Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 why not contact the council and ask for it, chances are they will give you it as it does cost them money to recycle or destory it whereas if your just having it it wont cost them and it still gets rid of the bike.theoretically your nto stealing as your asking for it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doopdoopbedoop Posted November 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 Then, when they say no and I do it anyway, they will know exactly who to go for! Have you ever had the council do anything common sensical for you? Too much red tape - "I'm sorry sir, the procedure is to spend money on recycling these bikes, due to health and safety or something"It'll be a night time operation... [insert balaclava emoticon that I can't find] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revolver Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doopdoopbedoop Posted November 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 that's the one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Ward Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 just remember its only illegal if you get caught Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.Wood Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 If the bike is in Croydon, it'll probably be gone by now anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doopdoopbedoop Posted November 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 If the bike is in Croydon, it'll probably be gone by now anyway.I can see it from my desk, so yes it's in Croydon It's got a HENCH chain on it, but that wont pose a problem... lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumplestiltskin Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 Just take it. All that'll happen if you don't is that the council'l cut it off and resell it. I'm not sure if this applies where you live, but up in Edinburgh the council employ a company to collect all the semi dismantled bikes you see still locked up. The company then sorts the good stuff from the crap, then sells whatever it can via its website for knock down prices. My flatmate got a totally minted scott road bike frame for his commuter this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDoom Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 http://jforjustice.co.uk/banksters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan6061 Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 (edited) just remember its only illegal if you get caughtNo, it's still illegal.You only get put in prison/get a fine for getting caught. Edited November 20, 2008 by Dan6061 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Ward Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 No, it's still illegal.You only get out in prison for getting caught. but your not going to go to prison for robbing a bike now are you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simpson Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 If you friend was really some bike chain sawing maniac, then he would have just done it. He wouldn't ask a bike forum wether it is morally wrong or not...Not like its any of our bikes isit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doopdoopbedoop Posted November 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 If you friend was really some bike chain sawing maniac, then he would have just done it. He wouldn't ask a bike forum wether it is morally wrong or not...Not like its any of our bikes isitHe didn't though did he? I did Nevermind the fact they are one and the same... Point is I'm not a "bike chain sawing maniac", hence wondering whether it was morally completely wrong. If the answers were 50/50 I'd go with my instincts that it was ok. The fact most people have said it isn't completely wrong just helps me do it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamness™ Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 Just take it. All that'll happen if you don't is that the council'l cut it off and resell it. I'm not sure if this applies where you live, but up in Edinburgh the council employ a company to collect all the semi dismantled bikes you see still locked up. The company then sorts the good stuff from the crap, then sells whatever it can via its website for knock down prices. My flatmate got a totally minted scott road bike frame for his commuter this way.What website might this be?Tam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simpson Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 He didn't though did he? I did Nevermind the fact they are one and the same... Point is I'm not a "bike chain sawing maniac", hence wondering whether it was morally completely wrong. If the answers were 50/50 I'd go with my instincts that it was ok. The fact most people have said it isn't completely wrong just helps me do it...So youv'e decided to consult a bike forum, where people love their bikes and spend a lot of time and money building them up and treating them with more care than their own mothers, wether or not you should steal a bike which was someones love and joy at one point? like asking a motoring forum if joy riding is acceptable....If you want it do it... dont have to post it up. It you get it, do it something to make it yours, then it is yours. I've had 3 people who tryed to nick one of my old BMX's, 2 of them got hurt, so be careful when you do it, and don't make it bate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BONGO Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 If the actual owner has clearly left it and it's been there for a decent length of time, then i reckon you should seize the moment and have them for yourself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doopdoopbedoop Posted November 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 So youv'e decided to consult a bike forum, where people love their bikes and spend a lot of time and money building them up and treating them with more care than their own mothers, wether or not you should steal a bike which was someones love and joy at one point? like asking a motoring forum if joy riding is acceptable....If you want it do it... dont have to post it up. It you get it, do it something to make it yours, then it is yours. I've had 3 people who tryed to nick one of my old BMX's, 2 of them got hurt, so be careful when you do it, and don't make it bate.For someone I consider to be one of the more switched on people on this forum, you're being pretty dim. I am/was a trials rider, so I know exactly what you mean about pride and joy and everything. I've had bikes nicked too. I was asking on here because it was MORE likely for people to say "no, don't be a cunt, it's well out of order" which would have given me a clear reason not to. Asking a random group of people on facebook would have almost certainly got me a "Yea, go for it blud", so I went down the fair route and asked the people I know care most about bikes. A lot of other people seem to have grasped the concept that I'm not looking to get hold of someones pride and joy - I'm looking to get a bike that's been discarded like a rape victims underwear. It wont even be a full bike! So chill, read the topic - which is ready to be closed by the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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