FREE CYCLES MISSOULA

Introduction

As we approach the twenty-first century, we are faced with the demands of population growth and its associated challenges. In striving to meet these demands, we must make those conscious decisions that can take us toward a more sustainable future. The community of Missoula can take on a leadership role in this progression. Free Cycles Missoula, a nonprofit organization, proposes to raise awareness of many of these ongoing challenges, by involving the entire community in a program that will have far-reaching long-term benefits for all its members. Throughout the summer, Free Cycles Missoula will place community-owned bicycles in public bike racks and at designated green flag stations. By integrating economic planning, environmental conservation, and community participation, this program will serve as an example of a significant local step towards a globally sustainable future. This program has been designed as an entity, which will sustain itself. Because Free Cycles Missoula does not rely on funds or staff from beyond our immediate community, we have the ability to control its future growth.

Program Description

The primary goal of Free Cycles Missoula is to obtain old, unused bicycles, give them a paint job, fenders, reflectors, and a wire basket, and place them in public places around Missoula. People will be free to use the bikes as they wish, as long as they ride and park responsibly and stay within the city-limits. Employees and volunteers will be on the streets throughout the riding season to assist program users and perform maintenance. The program will be supported by local establishments, whose names will appear on a sign welded into the frame. Free Cycles Missoula will be responsible for continually bringing in additional bikes, maintaining the ones in use, conducting seminars on education and safety, working with the city in improving bicycle corridors, and monitoring the success of the program. We emphasize the idea of giving old bikes new life. This includes fixing or replacing worn parts, making sure each bike is sturdy and safe. Bikes will then go to area schools, where students will be in charge of welding, rack construction, painting, and artwork. By reusing old bikes, which would otherwise end up in landfills or scrap yards, we can reduce our dependence on new resources.

Economics

A small metal plate will be welded into the frame of each bicycle, in-between the two crossbars. Sponsorship for one season will cost $50. Each business will be entitled to put what they wish on the metal plate. Two businesses may 'buy' a bike together and put their logo on different sides of the plate. Other fundraising opportunities include the sponsorship of green stations, donations, bike/part sales, T-shirts, and grants.

Education

Being the largest city in North America completely surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, Missoula faces some unique air quality problems. Roughly sixty-five percent of our air pollution is attributable to automobiles! Each time someone uses a Free Cycle instead of driving a car, whether to get a bite to eat, run some errands, or just cruise the town, a small contribution will be made to the air we breathe. A major focus of this program will be on education and awareness. This will include educating people about riding and parking responsibly, rules of the road, safety issues, and the advantages of using 'pedal power'. We not only want people to ride and enjoy bicycling around the community, but we also want them to understand how they are 1, conserving resources, and 2, helping to improve air quality. We want to show, by example, that progression toward these goals is an active process. By involving local schools, and empowering the future leaders of the community, this program will demonstrate how small groups can affect big change.

Safety

This aspect of the program cannot be over-emphasized. No bike will leave the shop until all of its functions have been restored and tuned. Maintenance and safety checks will be on going. Every bike will have solid tires and inner tubes. On each bike, a community sticker will contain the following information:

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST AND SUPPORT!