Generally speaking, I consider the police bike auction a ripoff. Might as well get a new bike than overbid for some rusty Canadian tire castoff found on the banks of the red river.. I bought a bike from it years ago when it was held in the more sensibly located maples multiplex. It wasn't worth the effort.
The bike auction is taking place this weekend in the south part of the city at the varsity view multiplex. Its been there for a couple years now. I haven't really bothered to go because by the time I hear about it, I have plans already. Also its too far. But today I learned even if I wanted to go, I can't get there by Winnipeg transit without walking for about half an hour. Well has nobody complained about that in all this time? Why would they choose such an inaccessible place for a bike auction?
The varsity view community centre gets to charge a fee for parking. How convenient that there's no other way to get there. Maybe by bike, but you won't be buying another bike if you get there by bike. Does the city get a discount for that particular arena? If they do, I wonder if its offset by the lower prices being offered for the bikes, since there must be fewer people attending such an event in the more affluent part of the city if they are missing an important method of transportation to get there.
Is it the auction house dictating where it is held? If so, they're not doing a good job for the inhabitants of this city. Here they are auctioning off stolen bikes in a part of the city with less crime. Far away from those who might actually have had a bike stolen from them.
I'm not saying it should be moved back to the maples multiplex. I don't know what instigated the move after all. It was however a better location any way you look at it. But it should be held somewhere with transit service and close enough to an area where people have a higher chance of their bike being stolen .
