Spring is a time of rebirth and rejuvenation — when the winter’s dead leaves and muddy paths make way for pink dogwood trees, emerald-green lawns, and purple alliums. For abandoned bicycles — perhaps locked to poles and racks, with flat tires and chains rusted to a burnt orange — another kind of new life waits, thanks to a partnership between Yale Facilities and the Bradley Street Bicycle Co-op (BSBC).
Each year, Yale Facilities superintendents mark about 70 bicycles across central, medical, and west campuses with bright orange and red tags that alert owners of impending removal (within two weeks) if unclaimed. During the fall and winter, a few are tagged when found locked to railings, stairwells, or handicap ramps, compromising safety. But the majority are tagged in early May, as seniors prepare to graduate and other students leave for the summer.
In addition to the brightly colored notifications, the residential college deans’ offices send all students an email reminding them of the impending bike removals. At the end of the two weeks, the team at BSBC, a New Haven non-profit, gets a go-ahead signal from Facilities to cut the locks and bring the bikes to their shop, at 138 Bradley Street. BSBC stores the bikes for another two weeks, providing an extra grace period for forgetful or inattentive bike owners. Both the residential college operations managers and the Yale police know to route inquiries about missing bikes to the group.
After the waiting period, volunteers and mechanics at BSBC get to work, repairing all usable bikes. And if a bike is beyond repair, its working parts are used elsewhere.
Unlike a traditional retail bike operation, BSBC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization run by a small staff, volunteer collective, and board of directors. Its mission is to provide bike access, education, and activities to the New Haven community. While some repaired bikes are sold, many others are donated to local groups that work with adults seeking employment or who may need a mode of transportation to a current job.
