Low-income residents or disadvantaged citizens could soon be cruising around town on Iowa City's abandoned bicycles.

Although officials are currently required by law to sell at auction bicycles that have been left chained to poles or propped against walls, city councilors will consider amending that regulation during their formal meeting Tuesday. The change would allow city officials to donate impounded bikes for use by low-income or disadvantaged residents through a non-profit organization.

Assistant City Manager Dale Helling said the change stemmed from efforts of the Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County and other local entities to restore bicycles and promote the environmentally conscious mode of transportation as an alternate to driving.

"In conjunction with that, we talked about what we could do with the abandoned bicycles that we pick up," Helling said, adding that seriously damaged bikes end up in the landfill while those that can still be used are sold at auction. "This is so that those in good condition can be donated to a non-profit for use by a specific population. These bikes could serve a better general purpose than just selling them at auction."

According to city law, an officer can impound a bicycle that is abandoned or unattended and obstructing vehicle or pedestrian traffic, posing an imminent threat to public safety, health or welfare, or violating a parking ordinance. Once a bike is impounded, city officials will notify the last known owner, who can reclaim it upon proof of ownership. If the city cannot find a bicycle's owner within three months, they sell it at public auction.

In 2003, the city sold 375 bicycles, according to Community Service Officer David Harris. Revenue from auction sales is used to defray bicycle registration expenses and the costs of bicycle facilities.

Brian Loring, executive director of the Neighborhood Centers, said that if council approves the ordinance amendment, it could mean more than 12 additional bikes for the Iowa City Community Bike Project. The center started the project about two months ago to work like a library, allowing residents of Johnson County and the surrounding area to check out a bike for up to a year by leaving a deposit.

The project has been operating from the Farmer's Market at the Chauncey Swan parking ramp every Wednesday night, and Loring said that between 15 and 20 bikes have been distributed. The deposit can range from $5 to more than $30.

"We don't want people to check out a bike and go to the pawn shop," he said, adding that the project's purpose is to provide low-income residents with an alternate mode of transportation. "A new bike can be $60 or more, that's a lot of money. With a used bike, you don't know what you're getting. These city bikes would go to low-income folks...people who can't afford them."

The bikes will come with helmet and a bike lock, Loring said, adding that officials will teach kids the importance of taking care of the property. Local organizations and entities also making bike and accessory donations include the Mayor's Youth Employment Program, the University of Iowa, Goodwill, the Noon Rotary and Old Capitol Kiwanis clubs.