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After falling into neglect, the Green Bikes program is being revived by the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at the University of Maine. The program, which was originally maintained by the Student Environmental Action Coalition, provides green-painted bikes for students to use on campus. Students may ride an available green bike between buildings, leaving the bike outside for another individual to use. The bikes are not intended to be brought inside or chained up.
Cory Spurling, a Pike brother and third-year sociology major, said he thought of the idea three weeks ago while he was walking back to the fraternity house one day from classes. The weather was cold and Spurling said he thought it would be nice to have a bike to ride between classes. Spurling proposed the idea to the brotherhood, who also supported the idea.
“We obviously wanted the availability [of the bikes]. We saw this project as a fun community service. I mean, this is a community service that will directly affect the student body,” Spurling said.
The Green Bikes program was started by SEAC, but many of the members who ran the program graduated last May. All the parts the Pikes are working with were left behind by SEAC, Spurling said.
Scott Wilkerson, the director of sustainability at UMaine, is the faculty adviser for the project. Wilkerson gave Pike the go-ahead to revive the program and provided an area to service the bikes and store parts, Spurling said.
“[Wilkerson] has helped us out immensely. I can’t express our gratitude,” Spurling said.
Pike is providing the manpower for the project. Five of the brothers who race mountain bikes showed the other members of the fraternity how to assemble the bikes, Spurling said.
“The biggest thing is that we are not professional bike mechanics, and we want to encourage anyone who rides the bike to ride carefully,” Spurling said.
Spurling said he is using his own money to fund the project, and is providing green paint for the bikes. Instead of bright green, the bikes will be painted a pine green color, he said.
“My plan is that I’m going to appoint a chairman in Pike who will manage the green bike program,” Spurling said. “As long as the Pikes are around, the Green Bike program will be around.”
Pike will have 25 bikes available this semester, and hope to assemble 200 more next semester. Donations of bikes and bike parts may be dropped off at The Depot at the service building. Any donations are greatly appreciated, Spurling said.
