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| S.A.V.E. prepares bikes for campus
use |
Jana Nordstrand
Staff Writer
Clubs / Organizations Beat |
Monica Geraci | The Appalachian
|
Students Actively Volunteering
for the Environment (S.A.V.E.) will be releasing 20 “Boone
Yellow Bikes” (BYB) today in several locations around Appalachian
State University’s campus.
The bikes will be located in bike racks around campus
marked with yellow and black tape, which reads “BYB.” The
bikes are for everyone to use but must be kept on campus, said Nick
P. Getzen, a senior psychology major. |
S.A.V.E. has been collecting
bikes that have been donated or abandoned over the past year. Members
painted the bikes bright yellow and fixed mechanical problems.
Local businesses like Magic Cycles and Boone Paint and Wallpaper,
as well as the non-profit organization “City Seeds,” donated
many supplies in support of the project, said Getzen.
In the middle of the bike frame a piece of scrap metal holds important
instructions for students: “Ride, Respect, Return.”
When riding the bikes, all bike laws apply to riders. The use of a
helmet and shoes is strongly recommended. However, riders use the
bikes at their own risk, said Getzen.
In order to curb any potential thefts, the Boone Police Department
has been notified to stop anyone seen riding a BYB off campus.
Plans for the BYB project began when members of S.A.V.E. heard other
campuses around the world were providing the use of free bikes and
experiencing great success.
Uncertain of how well received BYBs will be among students, S.A.V.E.
will wait to measure the outcome of the campaign before increasing
the number of bikes, said Getzen.
The group hopes the success of the BYB project will encourage the
Town of Boone to become involved and place bike racks around town,
said Getzen. This goal brings hope of stronger links between the university
and the community.
“As an organization we hope this project will help bring the
community together.” said Jenni P. Barron, a senior art major.
S.A.V.E. hopes the availability of bike transportation will help decrease
traffic and parking problems as well as the amount of air pollution.
S.A.V.E. will implement the BYB project as one of many projects designed
to decrease traffic and parking problems, said Getzen.
The group is working toward the idea that no in-state freshman should
be allowed to bring their car to school.
S.A.V.E. also petitioned Greyhound to drive through Boone, giving
students the ability to go anywhere in the nation.
With Greyhound now running through town, S.A.V.E. thinks this should
offer a method of transportation to anyone needing a ride out of town.
Right now, however, BYBs are the organization’s main method of
decreasing traffic and parking problems.
S.A.V.E. is a club consisting of 50 members that put their passions
concerning the earth into play through protests, petitions, running
national legislative and corporate campaigns and improving campus
recycling. They also devote time to river clean-ups, trail building
and teaching about environmental issues at local elementary schools.
S.A.V.E. is interested in creating awareness and taking action on
environmental problems at the local, state and national levels, said
Getzen.
As for now, they are primarily interested in seeing students across
campus on a Boone Yellow Bike saving the air, decreasing traffic and
parking problems and becoming healthier students. |
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