Think Green host Bike Week
New event used to promote bike usage on campus
Matt Frierdich
Issue date: 9/30/09 Section: News
Even as fall approaches, Drury's environmentalist group, Think Green, plans to keep the campus "green" all year long.
This week, Think Green plans to launch a week long initiative called "Bike Week" to promote sustainable transportation for students, and provide education and resources for current bicycle-users.
According to a Think Green publication, Bike Week will include a "Biking School" seminar, technical assistance for non-part repairs, free T-shirts, and air for bicycle tires.
Bicycles are already popular on campus, and Bike Week is an attempt to showcase that, according to Brett Marler, president of Think Green.
Marler believes that Drury's campus caters too much to automobile interests because of the assumption that students prefer to use cars. Marler wants to "give a voice to the underrepresented biking population on Drury's campus, and make bicycle usage on campus easier for students."
The idea of Bike Week was developed after a meeting with Ozarks Greenways and A&B Cycle of Springfield, Missouri. Marler explained that after a few conversations, A&B Cycle offered to collaborate with Think Green.
Think Green also developed a partnership with Queen City Cycles for Bike Week in order to create a wide network of local businesses committed to sustainable transportation.
In addition to the workshops and resources, Marler explained one of the key events to the Bike Week was the flash mob scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
Marler defined a flash mob as a sudden gathering of people at a predetermined time and location. The purpose of the flash mob is to assemble in order to demonstrate broad support for an idea or cause.
"While I was in DC, I witnessed a group perform a flash mob on the steps of the Capitol to get involved in the debate about climate change. I feel like it is a great social and visual way to represent that students want a greener Drury," said Marler.
Marler hopes that Bike Week will offer Think Green an opportunity to gauge the level of sustainable action students at Drury want to see.
"Student involvement in new green initiatives on campus is crucial. I believe that students should always be the catalysts, the leaders of reform on campus," said Marler.
Marler argues that "if there is not enough student input, most people will probably be upset with sustainable changes. But I also believe that students will be really receptive to our message once they take part in guiding it through survey and discussion."
As for the broader mission of Think Green, Marler explained that this year, that group organized into action committees. These committees will focus on specific issues to address this year such as: Efficiency, "Green" Food Service, Campus Green Space, and Bike Advocacy.
Marler sees Bike Week as a starting point for developing a green Drury. "I hope [Bike Week] gives students a chance to see and feel what it will be like to have a more sustainable campus."
This week, Think Green plans to launch a week long initiative called "Bike Week" to promote sustainable transportation for students, and provide education and resources for current bicycle-users.
According to a Think Green publication, Bike Week will include a "Biking School" seminar, technical assistance for non-part repairs, free T-shirts, and air for bicycle tires.
Bicycles are already popular on campus, and Bike Week is an attempt to showcase that, according to Brett Marler, president of Think Green.
Marler believes that Drury's campus caters too much to automobile interests because of the assumption that students prefer to use cars. Marler wants to "give a voice to the underrepresented biking population on Drury's campus, and make bicycle usage on campus easier for students."
The idea of Bike Week was developed after a meeting with Ozarks Greenways and A&B Cycle of Springfield, Missouri. Marler explained that after a few conversations, A&B Cycle offered to collaborate with Think Green.
Think Green also developed a partnership with Queen City Cycles for Bike Week in order to create a wide network of local businesses committed to sustainable transportation.
In addition to the workshops and resources, Marler explained one of the key events to the Bike Week was the flash mob scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
Marler defined a flash mob as a sudden gathering of people at a predetermined time and location. The purpose of the flash mob is to assemble in order to demonstrate broad support for an idea or cause.
"While I was in DC, I witnessed a group perform a flash mob on the steps of the Capitol to get involved in the debate about climate change. I feel like it is a great social and visual way to represent that students want a greener Drury," said Marler.
Marler hopes that Bike Week will offer Think Green an opportunity to gauge the level of sustainable action students at Drury want to see.
"Student involvement in new green initiatives on campus is crucial. I believe that students should always be the catalysts, the leaders of reform on campus," said Marler.
Marler argues that "if there is not enough student input, most people will probably be upset with sustainable changes. But I also believe that students will be really receptive to our message once they take part in guiding it through survey and discussion."
As for the broader mission of Think Green, Marler explained that this year, that group organized into action committees. These committees will focus on specific issues to address this year such as: Efficiency, "Green" Food Service, Campus Green Space, and Bike Advocacy.
Marler sees Bike Week as a starting point for developing a green Drury. "I hope [Bike Week] gives students a chance to see and feel what it will be like to have a more sustainable campus."
Article last update: 9/29/09 at 6:14 PM CST
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