| Berea
College's Helping the Environment and Learning (HEAL), an environmental
awareness and community service organization, will launch a new project-Berea
Bikes-on April 1. The community bike system will make a fleet of blue
bikes available across Berea's campus that will be free for student use.
With Berea Bikes, students will be able to ride to class and then
leave the bike for the next student to ride home on. The project also
will include a self-sufficient Learning Bike Shop incorporated into
the college's labor program. At the workshop, proper bike maintenance
and repair will be taught and the necessary space and tools will be
provided.
"This project aims to build community, encourage learning of
practical life skills, and encourage sustainability through bike maintenance
and riding," says Berea Bikes student organizer Leah Devine.
A Critical Mass bike ride is also planned for the April 1 launch
day. The celebration ride will leave the Alumni Circle at 5:15 p.m.
All are encouraged to attend.
The idea for a community bike program was first discussed in the
spring of 2002, and later that same year, HEAL employees and volunteers
began working on the logistics of the project. Finding a workshop in
which to restore and build the bikes was hard to do, but in the fall
of 2004, La Vida Nueva, a female co-operative on campus, offered the
use of their basement.
During Berea's January short term the project team began refurbishing
old and abandoned bikes on campus, as well as donated bikes. Six employees
worked on the project through the campus labor program and five students
and community members volunteered on the project. So far, five "blue
bikes" are finished, and an additional 10 frames are in the process
of being restored, ranging from stripped bikes, frames that have been
primed, frames that have been painted blue, and bikes being rebuilt.
The goal is to have a fleet of 20 community bikes ready by April 1.
$550 has been raised for the project to date, but organizers say
funds for the project are still needed along with more bikes, accessories
and additional volunteers. Donations being accepted include new and
used children's and adult bicycles, new and used helmets, as well as
time and money. Anyone with a used bike that isn't needed anymore is
asked to consider donating it to Berea Bikes and making it a community
resource.
Bike sponsors are also being sought. As a bike sponsor, groups and
businesses will be able to advertise by getting their name on the bike.
HEAL is a student led environmental and social justice organization, sponsored
by Berea's Students for Appalachia (SFA) service organization. The group works
for structural and personal change to create a just and sustainable world through
progressive campaigns, direct action, and educational opportunities in the
Berea College community.
Although the project has is currently a campaign of HEAL, Berea Bikes
hopes to become an independent project with its own student labor positions
and location. Support and funding for Berea Bikes has been provided
by the Student Government Association, Wellness and Campus Activities,
La Vida Nueva, Seabury Center, Coalition For Community Building, CELTS
and Berea College Public Safety.
For more information, or to make a donation, contact Leah Devine
at (859) 985-3613, or email HEAL directly at
. To learn
more about the activities of HEAL, visit www.berea.edu/celts/slso/heal/default.asp.
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