Bike Racks and Abandoned Bikes

Throughout my years of cycling around the city, I always notice these abandoned bikes locked up to the bike racks. Where do they come from? How long do they stay locked and wasting away? Who finally cuts them free in the end? Is it someone from the department of transportation or a bike thief?

I've noticed these lost bike souls everywhere; sometimes they take up space for others to lock up. When I see a stripped down frame locked to a parking meter, it has diminished over time--one day it will only have the front wheel missing, next week the rear wheel, then the handlebars, etc until only the frame remains.

Sometimes these bikes will sit for months rusting away with only one wheel. should the city have a program for cutting free abandoned bikes similar to the way we tow abandoned cars? After all, the bicycle is considered a legal vehicle on the road. With that said, is it appropriate to call the person who cuts free the broken down bike that has sat for months a thief? Any thoughts?

Max Wojcik, Bike Temple Messenger, April 12, 2011