Abandoned Bicycles -- DNAinfo Chicago

Hi, all! I got the OK to post this here from the powers at be. I'm hoping you wonderful people can help me out.

I'm a reporter with DNAinfo Chicago, and we plan to publish within the next couple of weeks a story about the city's abandoned bicycles. We were able to get a ton of great data from the city about where they have been reported.

But I'd love to speak with people who might have reported an abandoned bicycle -- or even abandoned one him/herself!

So, here's my question: Have any of you reading this post reported an abandoned bicycle in Chicago, or have you abandoned a bike yourself?

Maybe you haven't reported or abandoned a bicycle, but were always curious about that one bike near your home that hasn't moved in months or years. If so, I want to hear from you.

Give me a call, shoot me a text or send me an email.

-Ben Woodard, DNAinfo Chicago

425-328-9840, bwoodard@dnainfo.com

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dean Bekken on January 25, 2015 at 1:45am

Jim, propertyroom.com is worse than sad, it's barely functional. Worth a trip for laughs. You're right about the revenue, what a joke. Where are the bikes "at auction"? And have police tried to locate owners? Check this story out: http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/07/11/stolen-art-located-returned-...

How did artwork make it onto the site after a (presumed) burglary?!

Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on January 25, 2015 at 6:06pm

You're right.  I was trying to be nicer to propertyroom.com than it deserved.


Dean Bekken said:

Jim, propertyroom.com is worse than sad, it's barely functional. Worth a trip for laughs. You're right about the revenue, what a joke. Where are the bikes "at auction"? And have police tried to locate owners? Check this story out: http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/07/11/stolen-art-located-returned-...

How did artwork make it onto the site after a (presumed) burglary?!

Permalink Reply by David P. on January 26, 2015 at 4:20am

The "power's at be" ? Thank goodness for copy editors! :)

Permalink Reply by Ben Woodard on January 26, 2015 at 4:22am

Yes, yes. I caught that after I posted but didn't realize until now that I can edit. Fixed. :p

David P. said:

The "power's at be" ? Thank goodness for copy editors! :)

Permalink Reply by David P. on January 26, 2015 at 4:31am

Since you're a reporter it seemed right to give you a hard time for that :)

Ben Woodard said:

Yes, yes. I caught that after I posted but didn't realize until now that I can edit. Fixed. :p

David P. said:

The "power's at be" ? Thank goodness for copy editors! :)

Permalink Reply by pherm on January 26, 2015 at 9:44am

Reported an abandoned bike a year or so ago on a rack where I work (across Washington from City Hall). Was removed in about a week, if memory serves. Location, location, location.

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on January 26, 2015 at 1:17pm
http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/those-orange-bikes-locked-...

Ben, was the (orange-ad-bikes-story) any motivation for your story, (you could have asked what we know) or are you seriously going to do this story. Just a reporter type question.
Permalink Reply by Ben Woodard on January 27, 2015 at 3:48am

Tom, the orange bike story was done by my colleague who covers Wicker Park. My story is separate -- and should be published soon.

Tom A.K. said:

http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/those-orange-bikes-locked-...

Ben, was the (orange-ad-bikes-story) any motivation for your story, (you could have asked what we know) or are you seriously going to do this story. Just a reporter type question.
Permalink Reply by Ben Woodard on January 28, 2015 at 9:25am

Thanks a lot for your insight, everyone! We published the story this morning about the city's abandoned bicycles. I hope you like it.

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150128/edgewater/what-happens-chic...

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on January 28, 2015 at 9:48am
Great article Ben, thanks !

Ben Woodard said:

Thanks a lot for your insight, everyone! We published the story this morning about the city's abandoned bicycles. I hope you like it.

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150128/edgewater/what-happens-chic...

Permalink Reply by Andrew Bedno on January 29, 2015 at 6:53am

Thanx Ben!  This "Bicycle and data fanatic" enjoys being heavily quoted.

Your 311 data extract is most impressive.

And wow, the city's reporting system is an very pretty piece of underpublicized modern web work.  I wonder who coded it?

And thanx for mentioning MassUp's collection.  Maybe when the city adds submit by email (as Massup's had for four+ years) I can think about retiring it.

Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on January 30, 2015 at 7:28am
Nice work. You guys at DNA are the best for covering local issues and events!

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