Yikes, bikes!
The very first vehicle to be human propelled and use only 2 wheels was invented in 1817. This was the precursor to the bicycle which would come in 1839. It offered people a chance to propel themselves using their own effort at speeds far greater than would be possible on foot. Now, nearly 2 centuries later, there are over 1 billion bikes on the roads around the world, nearly twice as many as cars. With 1 in 6 people worldwide riding to work every day, it’s not surprising that there are so many bikes here on campus.
But a plague has struck campus in previous years. Increasing numbers of bikes have found their way to campus, but there haven’t been any resources to accompany them. What do you do when your brakes break? What do you do when you need to change your chain? Do you get tired trying to change your tire? Well, you’re not alone. Most people don’t know how to properly take care of their bike. Derailers and chains and spokes, oh my!
It used to be if your bike needed a tune-up or repair that you’d have tohaul it all the way up-town to shop off campus and pay quite a premium. Well, the Commission of the Environment & Sustainability said “there has to be a better way!” And that way has arrived. Opening on Tuesday, March 13th, 2012 the Commission of the Environment & Sustainability in the Alma Mater Society will be opening the Bike Shop!
The Bike Shop will be open every Tuesday and Thursday and exists to help students who have bikes they need repaired but lack the tools, experience or knowledge necessary to fix their own bikes. Now, they’ll be able to bring them to us and have our volunteers take care of the job! In addition, we’ll be accepting old bikes, refurbishing them and reselling them back to you students for cheaper prices. Everybody wins.
So to those who have bikes and those who do not. To those who know how to fix their bikes and to those barely know how to ride it. To those who can ride with no hands and to those who have never ridden a bike before. Come on out to the shop, there is something for everyone and we’re here to make Queen’s a more active campus. I’ll see you in the shop.
Adam DiSimine
Commissioner of the Environment & Sustainability (2011-12)