Helen Lam | Contributor
Featured image courtesy of Pexels
If you walk by the QUAD residence, you will see near it an exciting place that was built just half a year ago—a Community Bike Centre. Established by Regenesis York, an environmental organization, the Centre aims to promote the environmentally friendly transportation method of cycling in York and its surrounding neighbourhoods, including University Heights, Jane-Finch, Downsview, and Westminster-Branson.
Regenesis York is a student-run group that works for social justice, community development, and sustainability through community endeavours and advocacy. It strives to cultivate a sustainable earth that will nurture future generations. Currently, climate change is a major environmental issue that has global ramifications. It is a significant determinant of poverty, food insecurity, disasters, homelessness, illness, and animal and plant extinctions. In many cases it even causes people to migrate as environmental refugees because they can no longer stand to live in an area contaminated by mining, dams, the burning of fossil fuels, and other human activities.
By choosing to ride a bicycle instead of driving or riding a vehicle that emits carbon, people can reduce the release of pollutants in the atmosphere that contributes to climate change. Cycling is, therefore, a viable alternative option (for relatively short distances) and an economically accessible form of transportation. In addition, it benefits mental and emotional well-being.
Angie Lau, second-year children’s studies and concurrent education student, expresses her opinion: “I think that this is just a win-win situation where this activity benefits the well-being of people (physically, mentally, and socially), and also keeps the environment sustained.”
The new Centre offers affordable services which include bicycle rentals, group rides, do-it-yourself repair, and education on cycling. Bicycle donations from community members who no longer ride are encouraged, since they can contribute to a diverse collection of sizes and styles. The team of people at the Centre consists of staff members such as bike mechanics as well as volunteers who will perform basic mechanic tasks, maintain the shop, and help clients.
The Centre is funded by Mountain Equipment Co-op, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Metcalf Foundation and Regenesis York. Supporters have been receptive to the requests for funding because they believe in the vision of the initiative.
Many students were excited about the opening of the Bike Centre. Second-year psychology student Simran Virdi comments: “I think it will benefit the community a lot, especially since it is a form of green transportation for students or anyone in the York community.”
Some believe that it will ameliorate travel within the York campus itself. Filsan Bedel, fourth-year economics and political science student thinks that “a bike centre is an excellent idea considering that York’s Keele Campus is pretty huge. Biking will be an effective and eco-friendly way to get on about.”
If the opportunity arises, Regenesis York may even consider building a similar centre at the Markham campus. The Centre fosters resourceful use of materials and investment in renewable energy, furthering our community’s love and care for this planet which we call home.
