The Whanganui Green Bikes scheme recycles donated bikes, making them roadworthy to lend out for a minimal charge.
The scheme has been operating for approximately 10 months now, six of
those with funding from NZ Transport Agency and Whanganui
Community Foundation. To date, we have given out approximately 100
bikes, with 10 more ready and waiting for their new riders. Many bikes
and parts have been donated, to the extent that we now have an ample
supply, as well as a number which have already been disassembled for
parts.
Green Bikes stands as a community-based cycling advocacy group. We aim
to help raise the profile of cycling as an effective, efficient, fun
and worthwhile means of transport.
The project aims to decrease car use and increasing cycling in
Whanganui by making it easier for those without a bike to access one.
It gives an opportunity to first-timers to try cycling out, perhaps
encouraging them to go on and buy their own cycles.
We are working locally to help achieve the increased cycling and
walking targets set by the NZ Transport Strategy, which is 30% of all
trips by 2040, almost double the present figure. Lack of exercise
contributes to obesity and a range of health problems subject to
government remedial action. Increasing regular activity such as
utility cycling is helping to address this issue directly by
encouraging people to ‘get on their bikes’.
Everyone in Wanganui benefits from reduced car traffic. Those who
cycle as a result of the scheme benefit in terms of their health and
pocket. Cycling is extremely cost efficient for those on a low budget,
such as people who are out of work. This is especially important in
the current financial climate with the likelihood of more people losing
their jobs. With the economic downturn we can expect more low-income
people to come forward needing bikes.
All bicycles are repaired with the intention that they will be safe to
ride, and if maintained will last the recipient for a reasonable amount
of time. We pay particular attention to brakes and tyres in the
interests of making the bicycles safe. We also assist people in
choosing a bicycle which suits their physical, practical and lifestyle
needs.
Our workshop has been fitted out almost entirely with recycled and
found materials and a minimal budget, to create a functional bicycle
workspace for up to 4 people. It is often used by people fixing up
their own bikes and volunteers, including two regulars with
intellectual disabilities.
We sometimes help low-income people with basic bicycle repairs and
expect that this does not interfere much with the business of local
bike shops. (It is our policy to try and not take business away from
local cycle shops but rather offer a complementary service).
Jonah Marinovich, Workshop Manager, has constructed four cycle trailers
during this time specifically to order out of old supermarket trolleys,
marginal bicycle parts and found materials. This is making clear
practical statements about saving resources that would otherwise go to
landfill and innovative use of bicycle technology where people might
otherwise default to driving cars.
We recently provided five rented bikes and mobile bicycle-powered
mechanical support to “Slow Flow”, a local art/technology project
aimed at exploring and elaborating the interface between media,
technology and sustainability. The Green bicycles were ridden 60 km
from Jerusalem to Wanganui along the Whanganui river.
The Green Bikes project is needed in this community because
bicycles and getting more people on them are key factors in making
Wanganui more Sustainable.
Sustainable Whanganui Trust, which oversees
the scheme, has identified Transport as a major component of a
Transition Town initiative underway. Transition Towns are bringing
people together out of a desire to explore how we - and our communities
- can respond to the twin challenges of Climate Change and Peak Oil.
We will be running cycle training workshops, having gained funding from the Walking & Cycling Microfund.
Green Bikes helped run BikeWise in March 2009, which involved a ‘Go by
Bike Day’ featuring free breakfasts and the ‘Mayoral Challenge’ bike
ride.
The project’s outcomes are:
a) better, more sustainable transport with less car use and associated parking problems
b) more walking and cycling
c) a healthier populace in Whanganui
d) less waste going to landfill
e) reduced unemployment.
Foe further information, please contact:
Hadi Gurton
Green Bikes Coordinator
