Community bikes: Yours to use, Eastsound ... and maintain
Jul 16 2008
We have all done it: parked the car on one side of Eastsound to purchase groceries and then started up the car again to drive two blocks to the Post Office or Library.
“Ridiculous!” says Owen Cheevers. “Why not just walk or better yet... ride a Community Bike!”
The idea of Community Bikeshare is simple – a fleet of bikes to remain in Eastsound free for anyone to use. Cheevers is one of the prime organizers of Bikeshare, and the informal group was prominent in the Fourth of July Parade in Eastsound.
A handful of labeled Community Bikeshare bikes are the latest addition to Eastsound. All Community Bikeshare bikes are labeled with easily visible yellow stickers and are outfitted with either baskets or milk crates.
A number of volunteers fixed up the bikes, which were donated by Orcas Island community members and The Exchange. WildLife Cycles allowed the use of both their space and loaner tools on multiple occasions. WildLife Cycles bike mechanic and high school student Julian Glasser donated racks, baskets and other parts in addition to offering guidance as a small group of dedicated amateur bike mechanics prepared the bikes for their debut in the July 4th Parade. Others involved were Ezekiel Barr, Robert Moran, Whitney Hartzel, and Andrew Youngren who all offered their time and skills.
Everyone is encouraged to use and maintain the bikes. Simply grab a Community Bike from one of several racks in front of Home Grown, Island Market, WildLife Cycles, on North Beach Road near the FEAST Garden in the old Senior Center grounds, and at the Orcas Library.
“Please make sure not to leave vehicles in Island Market’s parking lot when running errands in town, but rather park the car on the street then pick up a bike,” says Cheevers.
“It is important that we all remember this is a community project open to all who wish to participate,” said Cheevers. “You need not ask. If a bike needs fixing, put in a little time.”
Future Community Bikeshare plans include construction of a covered stand and repair station that will make it easy to maintain the fleet. “First someone will have to build it,” said Cheevers.
He asks, “Do you have an extra bike at home that is in good shape, but you don’t use? If it is in working order, attach a basket or rack and milk crate to make it more functional, then bring it into Eastsound and offer it to the community by placing a Bikeshare sticker on it. Stickers can be found at WildLife Cycles as well as a Community Bikeshare donation jar.
“Feeling creative? Paint the bike and maybe even give it a name and then bring it into town. Donated helmets could also be painted, labeled and left with individual bikes.
“Building a bike rack is another way to plug in and help out. An example of a simple bike rack made of salvaged 2 x 4s, built and donated by Don Tompkins, can be found near the FEAST garden on North Beach Road across from the public bathrooms.”
People who would like to discuss more ways to help or have suggestions can contact Cheevers at owen@Awaketrain.com or talk to Julian Glasser at WildLife Cycles.
But, Cheevers says, “The best way to participate… is to take one of your Community Bikeshare Bikes and go for a ride!”
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