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| A bicycle that is part of the Green Bikes program is seen behind The Loj college theme house on Broad Street. (Photo by Timothy D. Sofranko) |
The bikes are blue, but the idea is all green.
The student-run Green Bikes program is giving members of the Colgate and local communities the chance to decrease their reliance on automobiles and to replace their cars with inexpensive human-powered transportation.
Twelve new bicycles, purchased with support from the university’s Wellness Initiative, Environmental Council, and Broad Street Initiative, set the program in motion in May.
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The bikes were assembled and are maintained by Adventure Bike and Boards, a downtown shop.
Brett Zefting, the program’s faculty advisor and assistant director of outdoor education, is excited to really get the program up and rolling once students return to campus in the coming days.
The program is open to all students, faculty, and staff, as well as area residents.
Participants must register and buy a key that works on the locks of all 12 bikes for $10, which includes a $5 refundable deposit.
This provides access to any bike at the 19 bike racks located throughout campus, residential areas, and downtown.
Zach Hicks ’09 was instrumental in getting the program under way and Trevor Kreznar ’10 will be helping this year.
Zefting said one of the best aspects of the program is there are no reservations. The bikes are up for grabs to anyone registered in the program at anytime. He said using the program is an environmentally friendly alternative to finding parking spaces on campus.
“We hope to keep a well-maintained fleet of bikes that is of an appropriate size to the demand of the campus. Only time will tell how many people want to be a part of it,” said Zefting, who added that he wants to secure regular funding to add bikes if necessary.
To register to become a part of the Green Bikes program, go to Base Camp to fill out a form and learn a few guidelines. More information is available here or by contacting Zefting.
Rachel Pancoe
Office of Public Relations and Communications
315.228.7417
