Policy on removal of bicycles suspected of being abandoned

Aim 

Ensure that valuable space is not taken up by abandoned bicycles in University owned bicycle parking facilities.

Bicycle storage permitted usage

At Clifton Campus (incl Satellite sites),Temple Quarter Campus, Dental School & Langford Campus, University bicycle parking facilities are for daily users only; they are not for long term storage.A

At University of Bristol (owned/managed) Residences, cycle facilities are only for use during a students’ tenancy only.

Bicycles left unused for prolonged periods (a minimum of one month)

Clifton Campus (incl Satellite sites),Temple Quarter Campus, Dental School & Langford Campus:

  • Bicycles will be identified for removal and a tagged.
  • The tag will note the date the bicycle was tagged. Unless the tag is removed (signifying the bicycle is not abandoned) the bicycle will be removed by the University’s External Estates team after a minimum of one month.
  • The bicycles details will be recorded and photographed and (before removal).
  • The bicycles will then be stored in a University storage facility for two months before being donated to charity or recycled.

University of Bristol (owned/managed) Residences:

  • Bicycles will be tagged if left after the resident’s tenancy has finished for a minimum of one month and then removed.
  • The tag will note the date the bicycle was tagged. Unless the tag is removed (signifying the bicycle is not abandoned) the bicycle will be removed by the University’s External Estates team after a minimum of one month.
  • The bicycles details will be recorded and photographed and (before removal).

Retrieval Fee

Clifton Campus (incl Satellite sites),Temple Quarter Campus, Dental School & Langford Campus:

Bicycles claimed by users after the bicycle has been removed from the cycle storage facility but within the 2 month period the bicycle is in University storage will be charged a £30 retrieval fee.

After the two month storage period the bicycle will be donated or recycled and cannot be retrieved by the owner. Owners of locks broken to remove bicycles under this policy will not be reimbursed. The same applies to those who's bicycles have been donated or recycled.

University of Bristol (owned/managed) Residences:

Bicycles removed from University owned Residential cycle facilities will not be stored once removed from the cycle parking facility but will be donated to charity or disposed of appropriately at this time. Owners of locks broken to remove bicycles under this policy will not be reimbursed. The same applies to those who's bicycles have been donated or recycled.

Donation or recycling

All removed bicycles which are fit to be reused or recycled will be sent to a charity such as Lifecycle for reuse or recycling. If the bicycles are not fit to be reused or recycled they will be disposed of appropriately by the University.

Records of bicycles held in storage will be kept by the University’s Transport team.

This policy (and the accompanying procedure) is applicable to all cycle parking facilities on all University of Bristol sites.

Process for retrieving bicycles removed by the University

  1. Contact Security Services on 0117 928 7848 during business hours (8am - 4pm)
  2. Bicycle owners will be asked by Security Services to give a description of their bicycle, such as colour(s)/make/ distinguishing features, frame number (if known), Bike Register number (if present) which Security Services will check this against records provided by the University’s Transport Team of bicycles was removed under the Abandoned Bike Policy.
  3. The bicycle owner will be fined a minimum charge of £30 for contravening this policy, payable either via the University’s online shop or to Security Services.
  4. Whilst every care will be taken not to damage the bicycle, the University accepts no responsibility for any damage to the bicycle either before or after removal (including during storage).
  5. Security Services will inform the University’s Transport team (who store the removed bicycles). The Transport team will then arrange a mutually convenient time for the retrieval of the bicycle.
  6. If in order to remove your bicycle your lock has been cut, you will not be reimbursed for the cost of the lock and you will not be provided with a replacement.
  7. Bicycles will be tagged and left in situ for one month. Bicycles removed from non-residential cycle facilities will then be stored by the University for a further two months only. Bicycles removed from Residential cycle parking facilities, if unclaimed one month after being tagged, will be donated to charity such as Lifecycle UK for reuse or recycling, or ,disposed of appropriately by the University’s Waste team (if not fit for recycling or reuse). This is the legal position of this policy and no other method of disposal of bicycles will be entered into.

Teams responsible for this policy

This copy of the policy will always be the current and up to date version.

The University’s Transport team will hold the current and up to date version of the procedure and can be requested by staff involved in delivering this policy can request a copy of the procedure from the University’s Transport team, by emailing transport-plan@bristol.ac.uk

The following key stakeholders have been jointly involved in developing this policy and the accompanying procedure:

  • Transport Team
  • Security Services
  • External Estates
  • Facilities Management
  • The Secretary’s Office
  • Residential and Hospitality Services

Sustainability have given final approval for this policy and procedure.

Contact

Any queries regarding this policy should be directed to the Transport Team Email: transport-plan@bristol.ac.uk