There's a bike, or at least most of a bike chained to a pole on one of my semi-regular routes. It's in a business district with no residences near by. It's been there for at least a month, but probably much longer. I've noticed that there are a few less parts on it since last month. It appears to be a decent frame of late 90s mtb vintage. It certainly could be resurected and there might be some usefull pieces still left on it. I'm guessing the owner is no longer around or doesn't care about it. The question is, is it ok to liberate it to ride another day? I know it's technically stealing and I'll bet it was probably stolen to begin with. What would you do?

liberate it and put an add in the paper

I wouldn't mess with it - but that might be cause I have no interest in bikes

In general thought, I don't tend to mess with stuff that isn't mine.

Yes...its a lonely bike and needs a good home. I say do it. if you feel guilty, put up an add that says "found bike".

Hummm well if it was me with my luck if I took it then I would be caught with it and find out it was stolen shsh and who would they blame yeppiers the person that had it. You tell them that story and see how far it will get ya. shshs best call the Police Station tell them about it and let them come get it.

Out of site out of mind and well keeps ya out of trouble as well.

Very much the highground txgal

I’m interested in where the line to be crossed is with most people.

If you accidentally come home with a pen in your pocket from the office, do you make a “special” effort to bring it back the next workday?

Depends!! I've brought stuff TO the office and had it disappear.

Most police stations will hold it for 30 days and if it remains unclaimed it is yours.

Have YOU ever taken the soda with intent to replace it, but forgot?

Look man, I told you I would get the damn soda back to you...lay off!

Do you know how hard it is to FIND Cactus Coolers?

Check if it has visible serial numbers/registration info. You can verify if it was stolen online, different registries for different cities.

Pending no one reporting it stolen, refurb and go nuts.

Make sure no one's using it to stash illegal "contraband" for retrieval. I seriously know a guy who used to do this with a decrepit car.

YEAH, we don't see him around much anymore.

Just take the damn thing already. if your scared, just say your scared...lol!!

I don't know the law out in Cali, but here, any vehicle parked without moving for longer than 30 days is considered abandoned. Anyone can tow it off, and all you have to do is run an ad in the paper telling the owner to claim the vehicle. After another thirty days it's yours. You can file for a title and everything.

Take it grind the serial #'s down repaint the frame & put different wheels on it, if you ever get questioned about it, just say you bought it at a flea market... If it's been there that long than nobodys wants it, so go for it

Ah Beach... we covet what we see every day. Let it go, my dear.

My guess is if you have to ask this question, you already know the answer!

NO WAY!

I'm going to live as pure as I can now that I've heard someone in the 21st century use the word "covet".