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IU Auctions 190 Abandoned Bikes

Last updated on Tuesday, August 28, 2012

(BLOOMINGTON) - Indiana University acutioned off 190 abandoned bikes Saturday at the Parking Operations Bike Auction.

Some bikes went for only a dollar. Some of the bikes were in good condition, some coated with mud and others needed repairs.

The auction was held in the Jordan Avenue parking garage.

Twice a year, Parking Operations auctions bikes collected during the previous semester.

Parking Manager Doug Porter says some bikes were impounded after being parked against trees, handrails or light posts.

Porter says he believes most of them were abandoned on purpose, as they often have grass growing around the tires or are missing a quick-release wheel or seat. Parking Operations employees remove the bikes from the racks and allow owners a 60-day grace period to claim their bicycles.The ones that go unclaimed go into storage and are sold at the auction.

Saturday's sale included 190 bikes collected during the spring and summer 2012 semesters,almost twice as many as were sold at the spring auction.

The auctioneer, who Parking Operations hired to make the event more professional, started most bids at $20. The money raised goes into the parking operations budget and used to put in new bike racks around campus.

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