Current News

Spokespeople recycling bicycles

March 02, 2007

Formerly abandoned and broken bicycles have found a welcoming new home in the basement of 360 House at "Spokespeople," the College's recently opened new bicycle collective and repair shop.

Some bicycles only need a little bit of TLC, while others need major repairs, but senior Joanna McClintick is determined to get them all back on the road again. "Bicycling is a sustainable alternative in the face of the global warming crisis, yet not many people know how to repair bikes, or own bikes, and they don't get the same attention as cars, which are not sustainable," McClintick said.

McClintick, who spent the summer working at a bike shop that focused on repairing old bicycles, plans to teach other students how to fix and build bikes using those donated or abandoned. The bikes will then be made available for use by the college community, she said.

The bike shop initiative was funded by the Athena Social Entrepreneurship Initiative grant, awarded to McClintick by the Connecticut College Holleran Center for Community Action and Public Policy. The grant is funded by alumna Trish May '75, the founder of the non-profit venture philanthropy company Athena Partners. The grant, which funds projects up to $500, is awarded to students or student groups who are creatively pursuing social change.

"Part of the importance of a community bike space is that people have the opportunity not just to buy a bike, but learn about it and take an active role in the knowledge of an alternative mode of transport," McClintick said.

Junior Sarah Trapido added, "It's about self empowerment - literally about being able to power yourself and get around campus on your own power."

McClintick said she is still trying to determine the hours that the shop will be open. She hopes to hold workshops where knowledgeable student bike mechanics can teach other students nterested in volunteering as mechanics. She is also working to establish some regular "open shop" hours for students who are interested in learning about bicycle repair or who would like to bring their own bikes and learn how to fix them. Eventually,

McClintick said, she would like to offer educational programs for the New London Community and institute a program that invites high school students to apprentice at the shop and receive their own bicycle.

"Spokespeople" will hold a kick-off workshop at noon on March 7 for anyone interested in learning about the general upkeep of bicycles.

Donations are sought and welcomed. To donate a bike, helmet or bicycle tools, or for more information about Spokespeople, contact McClintick at jkmcc@conncoll.edu or (860) 439-3615, or visit the Spokespeople website at http://spokespeople.conncoll.edu.

For media inquiries contact: Amy Martin (860) 439-2526; a.martin@conncoll.edu