Remember in 2014 how it was a scandalous headline that upwards of 2,000 people abandoned their bikes on the playa and, in total disregard of the "leave no trace" ethos, went on their merry way so that someone else had to dispose of them all? Well, three years on, this is just an annual problem for the Burning Man organization when it comes time to clean up, and it's way worse!

This year at least 3,000 bikes were abandoned, according to local station KRNV, though SF Weekly said the number was more like 3,000 to 4,000, and this Burner on Facebook said the number was 5,000+.

Thankfully, the bikes, which many Burners buy for cheap at Walmart and then discard once they're caked with dust, aren't going to a landfill and are being donated to a local non-profit the Reno Bike Project which sells refurbished and as-is used bikes to those who can't afford new ones, as well as selling bicycle parts  and the local Kiwanis Club takes some too.

It took over a week, but all 3,000 to 5,000 bikes were removed, and some will be stored to be sold or rented back to Burners next August.

In other words, if you're buying a bike for Burning Man next year, consider the Reno Bike Project and not Walmart!

Previously: Were You One Of 2,000 Burners Who Left Your Bike On The Playa?