In Bordeaux, police now remove “abandoned bikes” cluttering city bike racks
Bordeaux — Since September 19, the Bordeaux city council has authorized municipal police to remove so-called “abandoned bikes” — nicknamed “vélos ventouses” — that have been left for weeks on public racks. The initiative aims to free up parking spaces for active cyclists in the city center.
Flat tires, missing saddles, rusted chains — these forgotten bikes have become a common sight across Bordeaux, especially in the downtown area, the Capucins–Victoire district, and near the Saint-Jean train station. Despite the city’s 17,350 bike racks, nearly double the number from 2020, parking remains a daily struggle for cyclists.
When a bike appears abandoned, municipal officers first place a warning sticker on it. If the owner does not respond, the bike is cut free with a circular saw and removed by Bordeaux Métropole agents. Owners have one month to reclaimtheir bikes before they are recycled or repurposed.
“This phenomenon is increasing,” explained Marc Etcheverry, deputy mayor for security. “These abandoned bikes sometimes take the space of two, so we decided to act. There used to be a legal vacuum on this issue — now we have a clear procedure.”
The municipality plans to intensify removals in the coming months with more frequent operations.
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