|
Maine Cyclist
Bikes for the Bayou "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does."
The Collection Many of us at the initial meeting on September 29th doubted that over 400 bikes could be collected, fixed, and shipped to somewhere along the Gulf Coast before Christmas. But many state and national organizations, along with numerous individuals, came together to make this project materialize. Bikes for the Bayou formed partnerships with the Community Bicycle Center (in Biddeford), the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, and Katrina Bike Aid of the Texas Bicycle Coalition. The Steering Committee received financial support from many organizations including the Casco Bay Bike Club and the Saco Bay Rotary Club, along with in-kind goods and services from Roadway Express, Saco Parks and Recreation, and Lyons Coffee Service. Eliza Adams, a Windham Middle School health teacher, was one of the ten Collection Site Coordinators from as far north as Bangor, east to Brunswick, and south to Kittery. She shared a few stories from her students who coordinated the collection of bikes as their community service project: "... We just hit 50 bikes, and the last two are beauties! Can you imagine? People of all ages dropping off bikes? These last two were two retired men in a truck. Monday afternoon we had a daycare mom with her daycare kids wheel in seven bikes at once, and they walked the bikes into the room in order of size, with a three-year-old walking a wee kid's bike. A retired lady asked if someone could come to her house to retrieve two old bikes from her basement, and a volunteer went and picked up a big pink Schwinn and a matching men's black bike from many years ago. It has been a joyful project." On the day before the special event weekend, several volunteers moved 250 precollected bikes from storage areas in Saco, Biddeford, Kennebunk, Westbrook, and Hollis to the Saco Community Center. (Remember: On December 9th, Southern Maine was hit with an 18-inch snowstorm!) Over the Special Event Weekend, 47 volunteers worked to wrench bikes to ensure that they could roll forward and stop, others flattened bikes for shipment, and a few more packed the two 28-foot "pup" trailers.
The Giveaway Once the bikes arrived in East Biloxi, volunteers from the Urban Life Ministries helped those of us who went with the bikes unflatten the bikes in preparation for distribution. By the end of bike distribution day, all 417 bikes had new owners, with 100 people still standing in line hoping for a bike. What's Next? The Steering Committee of Bikes for the Bayou is investigating several leads to get our remaining bikes in good condition to needful communities on the Gulf Coast. Beyond that, the Community Bicycle Center in Biddeford and the Bikes for the Bayou Steering Committee plan to continue periodic community outreach projects to send bikes to communities in need of bicycle transportation. Contact Andy Greif at info@communitybike.net or 207-229-8199 if you are interested in becoming involved in a future community outreach project.
Better Bicycling in Maine Since 1992 |
On December 20, 2005, the world changed a little bit for over 400 residents of East Biloxi, Mississippi. On December 10-11th, Mainers (and a few folks from New Hampshire) collected, repaired, and shipped 417 bicycles, two scooters, and one skateboard to the East Biloxi Coordination and Relief Center. The bikes were distributed to hurricane Katrina survivors in need of bicycle transportation and recreation. Included in the shipment were 400 bike locks donated by Kryptonite Lock, repair tools from Park Tool, and helmets donated by the Joshua S. Merrifield Memorial Foundation. Take a look at the sponsors' page at 
At the end of the day on Saturday, one trailer was packed full and 50 bikes were nestled in the second trailer. We were almost out of bikes. Then Channel WCSH 6 aired our story on Saturday night and Sunday morning, and the bikes came rolling in! The second trailer was full by noon on Sunday, with 79 bikes left over, others headed for the Saco Transfer Station, and BCM Board members Trina Chaisson and Fred Robie, with his infectious smile, , picked out the best bikes from last-minute donors.
Molly Gish, a hurricane Katrina survivor and volunteer from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, helped distribute the bikes. She wrote to say, "The giveaway was a great time, so much fun. To see the boys, girls, and adults so in awe of receiving transportation and recreation without a hitch. They loved the bike locks and choosing their own combinations." Finding words and images to convey the many stories about the Bikes for the Bayou experience has been challenging for me. Megan Allchin of the East Biloxi Coordination and Relief Center sums it up by saying, "To see the bike is freedom."