|
Kyle Morris, coordinator Free bicycles left around Bellingham for people to ride. Most of them are found around the downtown area during the warmer months. They are maintained by a group of local volunteers. Work Parties are held each Thursday from 6 pm to 9:30 pm and Saturdays 9 am to noon. Look for a bright yellow Pedal Project sign on the alley door. Work Parties are behind the Bagelry; access from the alley between Cornwall and Railroad Avenue and just sount of the cross street called Magnolia. Bring your own tools, if you have them, or share the tools available on site. There is a place for actual individual work stations and tools can be locked up. Kyle can give you more details or open it up for a personal tour. The Pedal Project has about 200 used bicycles waiting to be transformed into Yellow Bicycles as of August 1998. A dedicated crew of about four volunteers has been working throughout the summer. Your help is needed to keep the Fleet up and running! Used bicycles must be in fully operable condition to be donated to the Pedal Project for the Yellow Bicycle Fleet. Bring them to a work party, drop them off at the WTA Transit Center, Railroad & Magnolia in Bellingham, or call the 24-hour voice mail to arrange delivery or pick up. The Fleet is recalled each fall for maintenance and safe storage during the winter. Those amusing yellow bikes bloom with the tulips each spring. The kick-off has accompanied the Farmer's Market season opening in April for the past two years. Each of the bicycles is named by the volunteer who originally works on it. This fun, whimsical bit of anthropomorphism has proven to be popular. Bicycles have been named after children, pets, characters in TV shows or books, bicycle parts, and favorite local people. The Pedal Project's mascot, a classic curvy cruiser replica, was named "Mrs. B" after the woman who donated the very first used bike for the Fleet. Mrs. B is available for display. ps: The Pedal Project recommends use of a safety helmet. City rules require lights at night - the bikes are not so equipped. |
