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| SBAD's Dave Bethune and Neskie Manuel. (Bruce Bottomley Photo) |
The wheels are turning to get a bike co-op going at Dalhousie.
Formed in January, the Society for Bicycle Advocacy at Dalhousie (SBAD) already has 30 student members and growing.
It’s hoping to acquire a permanent space on campus where students can come to learn about cycle safety, find parts, get help with repairs, and learn routes to and from school.
The society is also lobbying for better cycling infrastructure on campus, such as bike paths and racks, and is also investigating a bicycle sharing program that would make bikes available for short trips between Dalhousie’s three campuses.
Fourth-year students Neskie Manuel and Dave Bethune believe such measures would raise the comfort level and involvement of many would-be cyclists, whether they need a helping hand or handlebars.
“UBC has had tremendous success in engaging diverse groups of students,” says Mr. Bethune.
UBC’s Bike Co-op was formed in 1998 and provides services and resources to cyclists while acting as campus cycling advocates. Its most recognizable feature is its fleet of used, purple-and-yellow bikes. Bikes are donated to the program, reconditioned, and put back in the racks.
But Dalhousie has a long way to go; cyclists don’t have the presence in Halifax that they do in other cities, says Mr. Manuel.
The members of the fledgling society hope it can act as a catalyst: “(With) a society, I’m not just out there on my own. Together we can combine our voice,” adds Mr. Bethune.
If you would like to dust off your helmet and get involved, you can look up the group on its DSU webpage or e-mail sbadlist@gmail.com
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