The City of 麻豆精选 has renewed an agreement with Pathways Abilities Society (PAS) for the collection, safekeeping, and disposal of found and recovered bicycles.
The city has partnered on the program with the non-profit society since 1995. It provides meaningful work for adults with developmental disabilities, including bicycle repairs, customer service, and other valuable skills.
鈥淪uch as money handling, computer skills, bicycle maintenance and repair, as well as interactions with the public,鈥� Kevin Duggan, community safety services manager, told council at its Dec. 2 meeting.
PAS collects bicycles when directed by the police, and bylaw services can also drop them off at PAS. The bicycles are logged into a computer system and stored for 90 days while staff attempts to contact the owners. If the owners do not claim the bikes they are either sold, used for parts, or disposed of. If the owners are contacted, they can pick up their bike for a $25 service fee.
鈥淭hey鈥檝e been such an asset to our community,鈥� noted Councillor Ron Cannan. 鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to see those men and women who are working in the bike shop鈥t gives them a sense of purpose and pride. There鈥檚 nothing like returning a lost or stolen bike to the rightful owner.鈥�
The new funding agreement for 2025-2029 ($14,500 yearly) accounts for expected increases in operating costs. These amounts are net of proceeds from bicycle sales, which PAS keeps.
An annual inflation adjustment will be applied on Jan. 1 every year with a minimum increase of 1.95 per cent or the percentage change in the Canadian Consumer Price Index for British Columbia, whichever is higher.
