Bike swaps, talks focus on sustainability

Posted on April 23, 2009, at 12:37 a.m.

It’s hard to deny that each spring brings a movement to the University of Maine, a mobilization that rejuvenates the campus and the earth.

Celebrated annually since April 22, 1970, Earth Day has become a way for nature advocates to promote awareness of sustainability and environmental issues.

Just after noon Wednesday, Maine climatologist and UMaine professor George Jacobson spoke about the effects of global warming in the state.

He discussed negative environmental effects from the Industrial Revolution to the present, through carbon dioxide output in the atmosphere which will change the course of climate and temperature over time.

“Even if humans start to change their mitigation, the influences are already large,” Jacobson said. “It’s too late to have no consequences.”

At 2 p.m., students involved in various environmental organizations discussed their recent trip to Washington, D.C. for a conference on clean energy, part of the Power Shift Campaign. They were part of a group of 1,200 students who represented all 50 states to discuss clean energy alternatives through government legislation.

“I liked all that spirit. It’s great to see people who are willing to fight for green energy,” said Sonja Dragovic.

On the final day of the Power Shift conference, the students rallied on Capitol Hill to promote and influence legislation for cleaner types of alternative energy.

Another facet of UMaine’s Earth Day awareness was promoted through the second annual bicycle swap last weekend.

Rows of bicycles lined the Student Recreation and Fitness Center for the bike swap on April 19. The University of Maine Cycling Club and Bicycle Coalition of Maine ran the swap. The money earned from the bike swap will go into educational programs across Maine to teach children about bicycle safety.

The swap included bikes for all ages along with helmets, bike seats, biking clothing and safety information. There was an area where people could test ride bikes before buying them.

The swap began over 10 years ago – the University of Southern Maine held the event on their campus for almost seven years. The Bicycle Coalition recently moved the swap to UMaine for a better fit.

“We are trying to serve members in central Maine to expand the opportunity for people to get bikes,” said Maine Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Allison Vogt.

In one year, the swap doubled in size. Last year’s swap sold 78 bikes – this year over 200 bikes were entered.

“People were picking everything, this [is] just a good deal,” said David Auclair, volunteer and University of Maine Class of 1964 alumnus.

When the doors at the Rec Center opened at 10 a.m., a swarm of people entered.

“At 10, there was a parade of people leaving with bikes,” said Maggie Warren, the event and volunteer coordinator for the Maine Bicycle Coalition.

Warren believes the popularity of the bike swap is in direct connection with the economic downturn.

“At first I thought it would be popular because of the gas prices but even with gas prices down, people still want to bike,” Warren said.

Graduate student Erik DaSilva was looking for a stroller to attach to his bike for his six-week-old daughter, Winn. He found a stroller for $75 and gave a $25 donation to the Bicycle Coalition.

“We prefer to ride instead of driving,” DaSilva said. “This [stroller] just needs a little TLC.”

There has been discussion of the bike swap becoming a fall event, but no final decisions have been made.