by Christopher Sanchez
Daily Lobo
Going once. Going twice. Sold.
Karen Bowman, who works in the records division of the UNM Police Department, helped auction off 65 bicycles on Friday at the Duck Pond.
The auction was an effort to get rid of bicycles confiscated by the UNM Police Department from the past year, Bowman said.
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"It's pretty fun for everyone," Bowman said. "Our customers leave happy because they got good prices."
She said the bicycles were sold anywhere from $3 to $130.
UNM student Kateri Garcia said she had been looking for a bicycle to ride on campus. She left the auction with an old, rusty red bicycle she purchased for $20.
"It's red and looks kind of cool," said Garcia, cracking a smile. "It just needs new tires."
She didn't know if she was going to win the bid on the bicycle, she said.
"One guy was trying to outbid me but let me have it because I looked so excited," Garcia said.
Christine Cave, who helped organize the auction, said most of the bicycles were confiscated because they were locked to handicap rails or trees. She said if someone saw their bicycle, they would be able to get it back if they had a receipt of purchase or the serial number.
"They can claim the bicycle if they have proof," Cave said. "We're not here to take any merchandise."
Bowman said one person reclaimed their bicycle Friday.
The UNM Police Department had a booth at the auction for people to register their bikes for free.
Alayna Bowman, who works for Student Patrol, said nine people registered their bicycles by 1 p.m.
"Hopefully they register or else they'll end up here," she said, pointing to the bicycles in the auction.
When someone registers their bicycle, she said, the UNM Police Department engraves a license number on the bicycle, which allows the department to call the cyclist if it turns up.
By 1 p.m. more than 30 bicycles were auctioned off, Cave said.
"A lot of the bicycles are in good condition," Cave said. "There are some in the auction that can be used for parts."
Bicycle frames and tires were also auctioned off at the end.
Monica Sanchez, who works in the fingerprinting division of the UNM Police Department, said the action generated $1,807. The money will go to the general fund of UNM.
Chris Patchett purchased three bicycles at the auction for $11. He wanted the bicycles because he is going to start a bicycle-sharing program, he said.
"It's a program for people to learn about bikes and how to fix them," Patchett said.
Cave said the auction was popular to students and at its peak attracted more than 75 people. She said the last bicycle auction was in 2003.
"We didn't have an auction last year because we didn't have enough bikes," Cave said.
Student Corina Bejan said she was excited about her $39 purchase.
"Everything is OK," she said. "Everything works - or it looks like it works."
