Some students are shifting gears this semester and revolutionizing the way they use transportation.
The Revolutions Community Bicycle Shop in Midtown is teaching volunteers how to build and maintain their own bikes using recycled bicycle parts.
"The emphasis here is on community," said Kyle Wagenschutz, director of the nonprofit organization. "One of the goals of the bike shop is to create a community of people who know each other through cycling."
Revolutions is located in the basement of the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ in the Cooper-Young area. Students can become members by volunteering a minimum of 10 hours and paying an annual $40 fee. Membership includes free bike maintenance year-round.
Rogers became a member of Revolutions in May of this year. He built his bike there in two weeks.
"It's been a great experience," Rogers said. "For people who don't have $500 to buy a bike, there is Revolutions, and it only costs $40 to become a member."
The $40 fee goes toward paying for bike cables, grease and other small necessities for keeping the shop running, such as light bulbs.
Wagenschutz, a graduate student in city and regional planning at The University of Memphis, said he bikes 16 to 17 miles round-trip to school each day.
"It can be done," he said.
He began as a volunteer three years ago. He learned how to construct and maintain a bicycle from the ground up and soon became a member.
George Boyington, freshman criminology major, rides his three-wheeler bike to and from his dorm room in Richardson Towers. "I have not heard of [Revolutions] but it sounds pretty cool," he said.
"I love my bike," said Boyington. "You don't have to worry about parking. Just leave your car in one place and you can go to all of your classes, and you can get there a whole lot faster."
The Revolutions Community Bicycle Shop in Midtown is teaching volunteers how to build and maintain their own bikes using recycled bicycle parts.
"The emphasis here is on community," said Kyle Wagenschutz, director of the nonprofit organization. "One of the goals of the bike shop is to create a community of people who know each other through cycling."
Revolutions is located in the basement of the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ in the Cooper-Young area. Students can become members by volunteering a minimum of 10 hours and paying an annual $40 fee. Membership includes free bike maintenance year-round.
"The whole concept is genius, and I would recommend anyone to go down there and check it out for yourself," said Jordan Rogers, senior international business major.
Rogers became a member of Revolutions in May of this year. He built his bike there in two weeks.
"It's been a great experience," Rogers said. "For people who don't have $500 to buy a bike, there is Revolutions, and it only costs $40 to become a member."
The $40 fee goes toward paying for bike cables, grease and other small necessities for keeping the shop running, such as light bulbs.
Wagenschutz, a graduate student in city and regional planning at The University of Memphis, said he bikes 16 to 17 miles round-trip to school each day.
"It can be done," he said.
He began as a volunteer three years ago. He learned how to construct and maintain a bicycle from the ground up and soon became a member.
"The cycling community is actually a lot bigger than people in Memphis think it is," Wagenschutz said.
George Boyington, freshman criminology major, rides his three-wheeler bike to and from his dorm room in Richardson Towers. "I have not heard of [Revolutions] but it sounds pretty cool," he said.
"I love my bike," said Boyington. "You don't have to worry about parking. Just leave your car in one place and you can go to all of your classes, and you can get there a whole lot faster."
The momentum fueling Revolutions comes from its founder Anthony Siracusa, a recent graduate of Rhodes College.
In the last two months Wagenschutz has taken "the reigns of the beast" while Siracusa has been out of the country, he said.
Siracusa received a grant upon his graduation to travel the world and study differing bike cultures. Siracusa is currently abroad in Amsterdam.
"The focus [of Revolutions] has always been on recycling, but we are not going to let people leave here without having an interaction with others and learning something," Wagenschutz said.
Memphis is not yet a very bike-friendly city in the U.S., he said.
The shop has impacted Senior psychology major Nadia Rachel.
"The best thing about [Revolutions] is that you can custom build your own bike, " she said. "You can ride your bike everywhere, whether you are going to class or you are going to grab a bite to eat."
"Anthony began fixing bikes for free at the age of 16 because he wanted to provide bikes to the poor," Wagenschutz said. "He is the biggest force behind improving the bike culture in Memphis."
In the last two months Wagenschutz has taken "the reigns of the beast" while Siracusa has been out of the country, he said.
Siracusa received a grant upon his graduation to travel the world and study differing bike cultures. Siracusa is currently abroad in Amsterdam.
"The focus [of Revolutions] has always been on recycling, but we are not going to let people leave here without having an interaction with others and learning something," Wagenschutz said.
Memphis is not yet a very bike-friendly city in the U.S., he said.
"Revolutions' goal is to make a positive impact on our community, one bicyclist at a time," he said.
The shop has impacted Senior psychology major Nadia Rachel.
"The best thing about [Revolutions] is that you can custom build your own bike, " she said. "You can ride your bike everywhere, whether you are going to class or you are going to grab a bite to eat."
No comments:
Post a Comment