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Somerville Police to donate 78 unclaimed bikes to YMCA under new surplus policy
Summary
The Somerville Finance Committee on Tuesday recommended sending about 78 unclaimed or surplus bicycles held by the Somerville Police Department to the YMCA for repair and community distribution.
The Somerville Finance Committee on Tuesday recommended approval of a plan to dispose of about 78 bicycles that have been held by the Somerville Police Department by donating them to the YMCA for refurbishment and community distribution.
Chief Benford described the proposal as “a dynamite program” that would allow the city to partner with a nonprofit to repair and distribute bikes that otherwise could be destroyed through the disposition process. “We have approximately 78 bikes that we're looking to distribute,” he said, and noted that while many bikes are in good shape, some require tuning so they are roadworthy and safe.
Committee members and city staff said the city evaluated several local groups — Somerville Bike Kitchen, Bikes Not Bombs, Groundworks Somerville, and Bike2Sea — but found none had the capacity to handle the full volume. Chief Benford said a police captain recommended the YMCA, which has committed to repairs, distribution, and educational programming. Legislative liaison Kimberly Hutter confirmed the donation would be structured as a donation of surplus municipal property under the city’s internal surplus‑property disposition policy and state statute authorizing donation below fair market value.
Councilor Mabaugh and others urged the administration to ensure distribution would be available to the wider community. Councilor Mabaugh asked, “Would the folks eligible to receive these bikes have to be members of the Y?” Chief Benford and Hutter replied they would not: the YMCA will not require membership for recipients. Councilors also suggested the administration consider Cambridge Bike Give Back for future events; Chief Benford and staff said Cambridge Bike Give Back was not initially contacted but the city would incorporate other partners in future iterations.
The committee laid the bicycle disposition item on the table for a single roll‑call recommendation at the end of the meeting; the item was part of the group the committee later recommended for approval.
