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Derelict Vehicles and Abandoned Bikes

We remove significantly damaged vehicles that have been abandoned on public property and unusable bikes chained to public property.

Vehicle Disposal

It is illegal to abandon any vehicle – including a car, truck, trailer, motorcycle, or boat – on public property. You are responsible for properly disposing of your unwanted vehicle.

  • If you abandon a vehicle on public property, your vehicle may be towed and you may be fined up to $1,000.

Abandoned Vehicle Removal

Abandoned vehicles must meet the following requirements to be considered derelict and removed and disposed of by DSNY:

  1. There is no license plate on the vehicle.
  2. The vehicle is damaged and estimated to be worth less than $1,250.

If the vehicle has license plates and/or does not meet the damage/estimated worth requirement, but remains unclaimed, it will be taken to an NYPD tow pound.

Report an abandoned vehicle.

Find your towed vehicle (NYPD-towed vehicles only).

Bicycle and Scooter Disposal

Traditional Bicycles and Scooters

Set bicycles and scooters out with your recycling for collection. Remove bike tires and set out with trash. This can include other sport or recreational cycles, including mountain bikes, exercise or stationary bikes, tricycles, and unicycles.

Skateboards, roller skates, rollerblades (inline skates), ice skates and other types of recreational skates can be set out with trash.

Electric Bicycles (E-Bikes) and Electric Scooters

Electric bikes and scooters contain lithium-ion batteries. It is DANGEROUS and ILLEGAL to dispose of these batteries with trash or recycling. Batteries must be removed and disposed of properly before setting the e-bike or e-scooter out with recycling for collection.

Abandoned Bicycle Removal

A bike may be considered abandoned if it meets the following criteria:

  • It is unusable (crushed and/or missing essential parts)
  • Chained to public property (parking meters, streetlights, street signs, or City-owned bike racks). 

We will not remove "ghost bikes" that have been placed on public property as a memorial for someone who died.

Report an unusable bike chained to public property.