BikeAthens turns trash to transportation

By LIZZY FRITTS Published , September 02, 2005, 06:00:01 AM EDT in the Red and Black

Owen Staley, an Athens electrician, works on repairing a bike to be used for the BikeAthens Recycling Program. In volunteering with the program, Staley hopes to learn more about the work that goes into bike maintenance. (Lizzy Fritts - The Red & Black)

BikeAthens needs a little maintenance of its own.

According to its Web site, the storage unit where they work, with no electricity or water, is “bursting at the seams.”

Since 2003, BikeAthens’ Recycling Program has been collecting used bikes from community members and impounded bikes from Athens Police and refurbishing them.

With a little maintenance and spit shine, the bikes are donated to area individuals underserved by public and private transportation.

But Peter Norris, treasurer of BikeAthens, said the current facility where the bikes are held is lacking electricity and water. Volunteers are sometimes forced to bear the heat while working on the bikes.

Despite that, Norris said, the outcome is worth it.

“This program has a direct impact on the people struggling with transportation,” he said, “It allows people walking 45 minutes to their job every day to ride a bike to the same location in 15 minutes.”

Norris also said he is applying for more grants to help pay for the repair of the bikes. The average cost of repairing and cleaning a bike is $30.

They need volunteers, too.

The recycling program hopes to draw students and community members interested in bike maintenance to a bi-weekly ritual of bike maintenance and fun.

Along with a recycled bike, the program provides each recipient with a helmet, reflective vest, lock, front and rear lights and reflectors.

According to the Bike-Athens’ Web site, each bicycle requires about 10 hours of work to recondition and outfit.

Norris, a frequent bike mechanic for the program, said the organization’s goal for 2005 is to repair 60 bicycles, at least 12 of which will go to area children in time for Christmas.

Every Thursday and Sunday, volunteers meet at a workstation off Broad Street to donate their time to repairing the cycles.

Novices are welcome, and volunteers do not need to have prior knowledge about bike maintenance, just be willing to get their hands dirty.

Bruce Jacobs, a University alumni, started volunteering with BikeAthens two weeks ago.

“I enjoy bikes and bicycle maintenance, and if I can help somebody out by donating my time doing something I enjoy, then it is worth it,” Jacobs said.

Kristin Boudreau, an English professor and avid bicycle commuter, is a board member of BikeAthens and understands how beneficial the recycling program is to Athens.

“I think Peter’s program is a great asset to the community,” Boudreau said.

If tools and grease aren’t your style, BikeAthens is also looking for clerks and people to pick up and deliver bikes — and Norris said he just might offer a beer in exchange for some grease work.