RIOC Removes Over 20 Busted & Broken Bicycles Chained To Public Property - Another 15 Will Be Removed November 1 If Not Claimed By Owner

According to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Information Officer Alonza Robertson:

The new Roosevelt Island abandoned bicycle policy, announced last month, is now being enforced.

RIOC has started removing all unusable bikes chained

to public property (racks, street signs etc.) by 591 Main Street, Firefighter’s Field, the Helix Ramp area and the Roosevelt Island MTA subway station. They are being stored at the RIOC Warehouse, then will be discarded if unclaimed after two weeks.

For a bike to be considered unusable, it must have two or more of the following characteristics:

• The bike appears to be crushed or not otherwise usable.
• Missing essential parts such as handlebars, pedals, rear wheel or bicycle chain.
• The handlebars, pedals, spokes, frames or rimes are damaged or bent.
• 50 percent or more the bike is rusted, which includes parts like the frame, handlebars, pedals, and bike chain.

Once a month, Public Safety Department officers are surveying the Island for any unusable bikes chained and or locked to public property.

Any bike that fits the criteria is pictured, tagged, and then removed (in the owner does not remove the item in 30 days) and brought to the warehouse for temporary storage. After 14 days in RIOC custody, if no one claims the bike, it will get discarded.

The total number of bikes removed so far include:

• 18 from the Helix Ramp area
• 4 from the Roosevelt Island subway station
• 1 from 591 Main Street
• 1 from a street pole
• 1 from Firefighter’s Field

Another 15 abandoned bicycles have been tagged which is informing the owner that it will be removed from public property on November 1, if it not claimed.