On Saturday we cleaned out the garage and took a bunch of random junk to the dump. Left behind was an old bike that Jerry bought when campus parking fees for professors rose to a level he refused to pay, and he took to biking to work. That was 20 years ago. Since then, we bought new bikes. The old bike was in the way.
I had a flash: We'd hose down the bike, fill its flat tires, and leave it unlocked somewhere and see what happened. We'd be recycling, and it would be an interesting social experiment. Jerry thought I was crazy, but he went along.
We drove the bike to a gas station, filled the tires, and rolled it across the street to the racks in front of the North Berkeley Library.
Here's what happened:
Saturday, 3:35 pm--We drive by. To our amazement, the bike is still there. We agree that on Southside or on campus, it wouldn't have lasted ten minutes.
Saturday, 9:50 pm--I drive down to the library to check. Still there!
Sunday and Monday--Periodic drive-bys . Bike still there. How long could this go on?
Tuesday, 12:55 pm--We stop on our way to Berkeley Bowl, and I tape a "FREE" sign to the seat.
Tuesday, 1:50 pm--Bike gone! That was fast!
I'd love to know who took it, whether they'd seen it sitting there for days and wondered what the story was, or if it was just someone who happened along. Whatever, we live in an honest neighborhood! I began to wonder if I could stick a "FREE" sign on anything, items I don't even own and see what happens. Don't intend to.
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