Students receive free bicycles
Communication studies major London Donson tries out a new bike given to him free of charge. Approximately 40 students received the free bikes in an effort by Sacramento State and local transportation advocacy groups to promote clean transportation Sunday at the Upper Eastside Lofts. :
September 1, 2009
The Upper Eastside Lofts will distribute up to 75 free bicycles to residents this semester provided that they agree not to park a car on campus or in the Lofts parking lot.
The bicycles were paid for by a grant that was acquired by the Power Inn Alliance, a transportation advocacy group that partners with Sacramento State. The bicycles retail from $400 to $600 and come with a lock, bag and bell. Students also received a $20 voucher good for bike accessories at the Peak Adventures store.
“Our goal is to reduce the number of drive-alone commuters, so this was a perfect fit,” said Dawn Carlson, program manager for the Power Inn Alliance.
Peak Adventures has given away bicycles in the past on Earth Day. “This is by far the most bicycles we’ve ever been a part of as giving them away to students,” said Tyler Newell, lead bike shop mechanic.
About 40 students have already been given bikes and the rest are expected to be given out throughout the semester.
Students were given a 45-minute lesson in bicycle safety from licensed instructors from the Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates before they received their bicycle.Traffic laws and how to adjust the bicycles were among many things explained at the lessons held at UEI.
Sac State President Alexander Gonzalez gave a speech thanking students for participating and after a safety lesson gave away the first bike.
Katherine Kampling, sophomore communications studies major and a Community Assistant at the lofts, applied for a bicycle two months in advance and was the recipient of the first bike.
“I knew there were other issues with parking and traffic getting to school from Roseville because I commuted my first year,” Kampling said.
Students rode their bikes through the parking lot together after Gonzalez spoke.
“Getting them to utilize alternative forms of transportation is really important,” Gonzalez said. “If they have a bike, they’re going to be off the road, they won’t be polluting and it will be really convenient for them.”
Gonzalez said he hopes seeing more students ride bicycles to campus will encourage others to not drive. “I think it will start other people to think about looking at other forms of transportation,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez used to ride a bicycle himself before suffering an injury. “I hurt my elbow several years ago and I don’t,” Gonzalez said, “but I used to have a bike.”
Mitchell Wilson can be reached at [email protected].