In preparation for tomorrow evening’s bike ring fundraiser, two bike rings were installed today. The first ring was affixed to a parking meter pole outside of Steel Crazy Cafe at the corner of Elmwood and Allen. This design (there are two total) is of a silhouette of a buffalo. The ring was securely bolted, then the threads were stripped to permanently attach the locking feature to the pole. Once the funds are collected at the fundraiser (tomorrow at 5:30), the rest of the rings (made by Atlas Steel) will be ordered. The poles with bike locking rings will also be capped.
The second ring design was bolted to a parking meter pole outside of Campieri’s 888 (Main Street) just in time for Thursday’s big event. This second design is the Blue Bike logo (painted blue of course). On hand for the second installation were Justin Booth (Blue Bikes bike sharing cooperative) and Mark Sirek of Dream Bikes (bottom left).
Dream Bikes is an affiliate of Trek bikes and Mark is in town as a guest of Justin’s. The two are canvassing the city looking for potential locations for a non-profit bike shop that would train low income youth how to repair bikes. The program is also designed to provide low income families (especially younger family members) with bikes. If the program did set up shop in Buffalo, the impact would be enormous. Not only does the initiative offer skill-sets to those less fortunate, efforts in other cities have proven to positively impact entire communities. Dream Bikes works in conjunction with local Boys and Girls Clubs and employs participants in a Job Ready program.
Of course, by this time we all know how important a healthy biking community is… but in order to get to where we need to be, we must gain continued support from The City (State and Federal), local private enterprises, and the community. It won’t be long before the bike rings are a common sight throughout Buffalo. Let’s hope that the team from Dream Bikes can find what they are looking for here – the program (and the corporate Trek presence) would be a welcome addition to Buffalo.
queenseyes
Newell Nussbaumer is 'queenseyes' - Eyes of the Queen City and Founder of Buffalo Rising. Co-founder Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts. Co-founder Powder Keg Festival that built the world's largest ice maze (Guinness Book of World Records). Instigator behind Emerald Beach at the Erie Basin Marina. Co-creator of Rusty Chain Beer. Instigator of Buffalo Porchfest, and Paint vs. Paint. Founder of The Peddler retro and vintage market on Elmwood. Instigator behind Liberty Hound @ Canalside. Throws The Witches Ball at Statler City, the Hertel Alley Street Art Festival, and The Flutterby Festival. And his latest adventure... FigBuffalo, with the intention of creating a Buffalo United Fashion Front (BUFF). Contact Newell Nussbaumer | Newell@BuffaloRising.com