The wheels were turning at this year’s Community Bike Auction

Going once … going twice … SOLD, at this year’s community bike auction. PHOTO: Bryan Sullivan / ilovewinnipeg.ca

Winnipeg’s recent bike auction packed in the crowds of people looking for a good deal on a new used bike. There were many to choose from – approximately 400 bikes were auctioned off on Saturday and about 300 on Sunday, on the last weekend in April at Century Arena, 1377 Clarence Ave.

Bikes ranged from a few high end models with brand names like Cannondale, Gary Fisher and Trek, to mostly ones found at your local Canadian Tire or Walmart. The bikes for sale have usually been stolen and no owners have been found to reclaim them.

Rows and rows of bikes were on hand at this year’s community bike auction. PHOTO: Bryan Sullivan / ilovewinnipeg.ca

There were some great deals, as well as many that sold for more than their retail value, especially on the less expensive Infinity, Supercycle models.

Families who brought their kids often ended up bidding against each other, regardless of the value. It seemed to be more for the ego of winning the bike and making their child happy.

Those who wanted a good deal arrived early or they stuck around until later in the day, as most people came in around 10 a.m. and left by 1 pm.

Within the city of Winnipeg as many as 3,000 bicycles are reported stolen each year, of which up to 1,500 are returned to their rightful owners.

If your bike is stolen, it is advisable you report the serial number to aid in the potential recovery of it. The better the description, the better the chance of recovery/identification.

You can report a stolen bike to the Winnipeg Police by calling 204-986-6222 phone, by going online at online reporting system, or by visiting a Winnipeg Police Service Centre.

Before making your report, have your bike’s serial number and any unique marks/engravings (distinguishable meaning unique to that individual bike, not a group of bikes) that will aid the police in matching your report to the bikes they find. The officer taking your complaint will ask you for this information.

For only $6.50 you can register your bike and place a red identifying permanent sticker on the bike to let people know that your bike is registered.

WRENCH's Pat Kraweck fixes up some bikes at this year's 2015 Community Bike Auction. PHOTO: Bryan Sullivan / ilovewinnipeg.ca

WRENCH’s Pat Krawec fixes up some bikes at this year’s 2015 Community Bike Auction. PHOTO: Bryan Sullivan / ilovewinnipeg.ca

The City of Winnipeg once again partnered with the W.R.E.N.C.H. this year to offer more than 250 ready-to-ride bikes tuned up through the W.R.E.N.C.H.’s UpCycle employment training program. Every time you bid on a W.R.E.N.C.H. ready-to-ride bike, you are supporting community bicycle programming across Winnipeg.

Also onsite was information and displays about: