Bicycle round-up helps Airmen, beautifies base

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Battles
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The Osan Air Base unaccompanied housing managers conducted the annual bicycle round-up throughout the dorms May 8, 2012.

The round-up removed bicycles that have been abandoned or forgotten through dorm change, temporary duty assignments, or permanent changes of station.

"This is our chance for dorm management to help with beautification of the base," said Tech. Sgt. Samuel Matthews, 51st Civil Engineer Squadron senior NCO housing manager. "This also gives us a chance to help Airmen by recycling bicycles for them to get at a cheaper cost."

Throughout the day more than 100 bicycles were collected from the dorms on Osan.

Bikes collected are being housed by the unaccompanied housing managers for 45 days before being transferred the Osan Thrift Store. Airmen whose bicycles were mistakenly collected during the round-up must contact their dorms manager and provide proof of ownership, an accurate description, or have a photograph of the bicycle to claim it.

After the 45-day grace period, the bicycles will then be sold by the thrift store for $5 to $50 dollars depending on the quality, brand and style of the bike.

Matthews suggested that Airmen who are PCSing remember to grab their bikes when their TMO shipment is picked up. If Airmen decide they no longer want their bicycles, they should pass them on, donate them or give them to the thrift store, so someone else could possibly benefit from its use.

"We found a lot of nice bikes that others left behind during this round-up," said Staff Sgt. Nathan Jaynes, 51st CES unaccompanied housing manager. "With the walking and bicycling culture we have here at Osan, hopefully the bikes will go to good use."

Unclaimed bicycles go on sale at the Osan thrift store in late June or early July.