PURPLE BIKES TURN CAMPUS GREEN

“It’s meant to be a grassroots kind of program,” says Fine, co-chair of the Purple Bikes program with staff member Diane Burns  “There’s the fun aspect, the health aspect, and it’s a great way for students to connect with the community, go to the parks and head downtown instead of being stuck on campus.”

 

A former McMaster University student, Fine was all too familiar with the idea of a bicycle program. MACycle operates on a $10,000 annual budget, providing a bicycle support service to students and local Hamilton residents.

 

Almost half of Canada’s universities have bicycle programs, including the University of British Columbia, University of Ottawa, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo and Guelph University. Fine felt it was time for Western to saddle up.

 

The Purple Bikes program - an offshoot of EnviroWestern - consists of two components. The ride-share program, which is geared towards students, will offer free rental for 48 hours. The only cost will be a $5 annual membership  fee. Depending on the number of bicycles available, students can continue to rent bicycles throughout the year.

 

The co-op branch of the program will offer low-cost repairs to the campus and London community by providing parts to members at cost and assistance in repairing their bikes.  Student volunteers will be trained by mechanics to guide members in repairing their own bikes or can charge ($30 an hour) to make the repair.

 

“The co-op is open to everyone in the community to encourage people to start taking bikes and stop taking cars,” says Fine. A campuswide survey of students and staff indicated more than 90 per cent of respondents were interested in beginning to bicycle or currently bicycle and would be supportive of a Purple Bikes program.

 

The test program started in early May from Elgin Hall. Purple Bikes has 12 bikes in its fleet - painted purple, of course. With the donation/acquisition of additional bikes the program will expand to Saugeen-Maitland, Perth Hall and University Community Centre (UCC) in September.

 

To assist the Purple Bikes program, contact the group by visiting their office in the UCC (Room 315C), e-mail purplebikes.london@gmail.com or search for ‘purple bikes’ on Facebook.