Here’s another nifty idea for anyone who needs a little push to try out biking – Borrow a Bike! After a successful trial at Canterbury University in 2011, Rosalee Jenkin is organising an event during this Wed 6th – Sat 9th Feb where people in town can borrow a bike loaned by others to do whatever they need to do – ride around town, do some errands, go to the beach, whatever. Perhaps you just want to try something different to your current model before committing to your next purchase.
It’s simple:
- If you have a bike (or two) that you can spare for a day (or more) during the event, contact Rosalee at borrowabikechch@gmail.com. Maybe you’re just working in town and won’t need your bike all day. Or maybe you have a spare one sitting in the garage not doing much. If you have a helmet and/or bike-lock to loan out as well, even better.
- If you would like to borrow a bike, come to the Bridge of Remembrance end of Re:START Mall any time between 9.00am – 5.30pm. You must leave some form of ID, a phone number and an item of value while you are using the bike.
The aim is to promote cycling, while at the same time encouraging a culture of sharing and trust, through a non-monetary exchange.
Who knows, maybe your two-wheeled pride and joy might inspire someone to buy their own bike and start a wonderful lifetime habit? Or perhaps, the experience of a cycle-friendlier city will be the story that the tourist is telling their mates when they return from Christchurch?
Obviously loaned bikes should be in generally good, safe condition for others to use. Your bikes will be looked after while in Rosalee’s care but there’s no ironclad guarantee that nothing will happen to them (although the above precautions should largely minimise the risk of damage/theft).
So spread the word and see if you can help with a bike. Or if you’re in town later this week and need a bike, go and find Rosalee!
More details about this event on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/events/323448101100273
