Activists want bikes distributed, but thousands remain court property
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 5, 2008 | 9:27 AM ET
CBC News
Related
Video
- Chris Kayaniotes reports: Activists want bikes distributed, but thousands remain court property (Runs: 1:46)
- Play: QuickTime »
- Play: Real Media »
Bikes recovered in police raids sit in a Toronto warehouse. (Dwight Friesen/CBC)Community groups in Toronto are eagerly anticipating getting their hands on 2,700 seized bicycles, but they may have a long wait.
The bikes were taken by police when they arrested Igor Kenk in July.
Kenk was charged with bike theft, possession of stolen property and drug charges following a series of raids on properties he controlled in Toronto.
Brandon Zagorski was invited to a recent meeting by the city to talk about the bicycles. Zagorski's group, Bike Pirates, repairs bikes for charity.
"I was invited by the city to offer a suggestion on what to do if the bicycles were made available to the community," he said.
According to Const. Stephen Burns of Toronto police a lot of groups want to get their hands on the bikes. He keeps getting calls from cycling groups attracted by the gold mine of seized two-wheelers.
"They feel like the bikes could be put to good use today, right now," he said.
But Herb van den Dool of Community Bike Network wants to talk about what to do with the bikes now.
"Better now than later when they are distracted by the end of the trial. I don't see why we should wait until then," he said.
The fear is the trial could take years and Kenk's appeals could take years more.
Until then, the bikes remain the property of the court and if Kenk is eventually acquitted he can apply to have the seized bikes returned.
Share Tools
Latest Toronto News Headlines
- Air Canada confident it can reach deal with pilots
- Travellers flying Air Canada can keep booking their flights as negotiations continue with a new federally appointed mediator to help resolve an ongoing contract dispute between the airline and its pilots. more »
- Woodbridge family uses social media in search for transplant
- A 22-year-old Woodbridge, Ont. woman and her family are searching desperately for a bone marrow transplant that could save her life, Marivel Taruc reports. more »
- Nexus cards now let U.S.-bound fliers fast-track screening
- Travellers under Canada's Nexus program will be able to use their cards in new, faster security lines when flying to the United States from eight cities starting Wednesday, Transport Minister Denis Lebel says. more »
- RIDE's top cop suspended for alleged intoxication
- The officer responsible for the Toronto police's impaired-driving prevention program is suspended and under investigation after some of his subordinates reported he appeared to be intoxicated at work. more »
Top News Headlines
- Air Canada confident it can reach deal with pilots
- Travellers flying Air Canada can keep booking their flights as negotiations continue with a new federally appointed mediator to help resolve an ongoing contract dispute between the airline and its pilots. more »
- Legalize pot, say former B.C. attorneys general
- Four former B.C. attorneys general are joining a coalition of health and justice experts calling for the legalization of marijuana. more »
- Whitney Houston's funeral to be held Saturday
- Pop star Whitney Houston's funeral service will be held Saturday in the New Jersey church where she first showcased her singing talents as a child. more »
- CN blamed for fatal train derailment in Illinois
- CN is being blamed for a 2009 train derailment in Illinois, in which several cars went off the tracks and caught fire, killing one person and injuring seven others. more »
- Mandatory gun sentence struck down by Ontario judge
- Ontario 'confinement room' arrest made
- Toronto NBA fans prepare for 'Lin-sanity'
- Fords plan 'Save Our Subways' campaign
- McGuinty hints at pay freeze for public sector execs
- Ban Wi-Fi in classroom, Ontario teachers union urges
- CBC digital music service launched
- Ultimate Tazer Ball combines shock and soccer
- Ontario government to sell LCBO headquarters

