For the second year in a row, you can sell back more than just your used books – on Sunday, bring in your bike.
The Great Maine Bike Swap is coming to USM’s Sullivan Gym (Portland) on April 27, thanks to PIRG and the Bicycle Coalition of Maine.
Between 8 and 10 a.m., students and community members can wheel their bikes into the gym to fill out forms and put their bikes on the market.
Shoshana Hoose, the committee coordinator for the Bicycle Coalition, suggests getting there early to get in line.
Hoose said that last year, there was a huge collection, including everything from vintage to kids’ bikes, mountain bikes and hybrids. There were about 1500 people who went, “and almost everything sold.”
It costs $3 to put a bike up for sale, and there’s a 15 percent commission on all proceeds. Don’t have a bike to sell? It’s free for USM students and kids 12 and under to get in and shop ($3 for non-students).
All of the money raised goes back to the Coalition to support the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s education and safety programs.
Last year was the first time the swap was held at USM, though it had a history in other Maine venues. This year, the Swap has expanded up to UMaine, based on popular demand.
The money people make from selling their bikes really “depends on the type and condition of the bike,” said Hoose. Often people can expect to receive a good amount of money back.
The event had a great turnout last year, with about 200 bikes available to be sold to new owners.
More than just serving as a bike market, the swap will include workshops for bike repair, a bike decorating station, exhibits, entertainment, refreshments and tables for other non-profit groups.
Once you’re happily outfitted with a new vehicle, you can head down to the Earth Day Bike Parade around Back Cove at 1 p.m.
The parade is put on by Green Streets, a local group that encourages “green” transportation for Portland. Registration for the parade starts at 12:30 p.m., immediately following the swap.
“Interest in biking has increased due to the high gas prices,” said Hoose. “People want to reduce their carbon footprint. I see a lot of people biking around Portland, even in the winter.”
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine really encourages people to bike, even just for a short distance. “We try to push this from a health and environmental standpoint,” said Hoose. “If you can cut down on short drives and bike instead, it makes a difference.”
If you, too, are considering ditching your gas-guzzler, the bike swap is a great way to find a new set of wheels and learn how to maintain them, as well as support a few local non-profits.
Volunteers will be available to help price and fit bikes, as well as help not-so-savvy riders choose from the mass of handlebars and pedals. There will also be a testing area to help customers determine which bike is best.
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine puts on many other events, including a BCM Benefit at Flatbread’s, the Women’s Ride for Heart Health on June 1st, and the Fryeburg Maine and National Bike Rally. For more information about the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, visit www.bikemaine.org or e-mail [email protected].
Paint the streets green
Also participating in the Bike Swap is Green Streets, a group of volunteers “comprised of people who commute through, love, work in, study at, or send children to school in Greater Portland.”
Lead organizer Sarah Cushman wants everyone to know about the group, which uses an incentive program to “get folks to communicate and use alternate transportation, such as walking, biking, using buses, trains, ferries, and well as carpooling.”
The group, which started in September of last year, has had around 850 participants thus far.
On the last Friday of every month, members of Green Streets wear something green while they commute “green” for something they like to call “Green Streets Day.”
During the entire day, green-wearing participants can enjoy free coffee or tea at places like the North Star Café.
There is also a raffle every month, with prizes like free magazine subscriptions and theater tickets offered.
“We really want to encourage folks to sign up online if they are participating; that way we can document it,” said Cushman. She adds that the group is slowly growing as more people hear about it. “It’s just fun!” she says, “you don’t have to be a hardcore biker to bike.”
As a certified car mechanic, Cushman knows how efficient riding a bike can be compared to an automobile.
She calls the Earth Day Bike Parade a “fun community day” and encourages people to come (you can even decorate your bike and show it off).
For more information on how to join Green Streets, visit http://portlandgreenstreets.org/.
They’re looking for volunteer coordinators to help post flyers around businesses and schools.
Social biking
Another local bicycle group in on the Great Maine Bike Swap is Portland Maine Bicycle Commuting, a “group of people who like to ride our bikes for transportation, not just recreation.” Founded in 2006, they meet monthly to socialize and discuss topics of interest.
The group also conducts regular monthly seminars in Beginning Commuting and Traffic Safety. They welcome beginners and veterans alike.
Upcoming events include Danceportation ReEvolution, South Portland Earth Day Cleanup, Portland Earth Day Festival and Green Streets Walk/Ride Day.
For more information on how to join, visit www.bike.meetup.com.
Join the club
The Outing Club at USM will also be helping out at this year’s bike swap. If you’re looking for a way to connect with other USM students and share your love for the outdoors, they’re the only student-run outdoors group on campus.
They’re taking an overnight biking trip this weekend before the swap, leaving campus Friday and returning Saturday.
They plan to make the journey up to Sebago Lake, camp out if possible and bike around the lake. Club president Eric Favreau says “anyone can join; you don’t have to be a member.”
For more information, contact the Outing Club at [email protected].
You’re not the only one with a helmet clipped to your backpack
Anna Korsen
Year: Senior
Major: Sociology
Years biking to school: Two and a half
Kind of bike: Shogun, an “old style road bike” that she bought used at last year’s Bike Swap
Do you ride in all seasons?
Not in winter
Pros? I don’t own a car, so I miss out on tickets and buying gas. Biking is really fun. It’s great exercise.
Cons? Cars don’t really respect your right to be on the road, biking up Munjoy Hill can be hard.
Any interesting encounters? I was biking and my boyfriend was skateboarding next to me, he did a trick and flipped the skateboard over, I went flying!
Robert Louden
Job: Professor of philosophy
Years biking: since the ’80s
Kind of bike: Old, second-hand road bike, 10-speed with narrow tires
Time it takes to bike to work: 5-10 minutes, about one mile.
Do you bike in all seasons? Yes, except January-March
Pros? Don’t have to hunt for a parking space, can ride around town (within 10-15 miles); I can actually get to places quicker on my bike.
Cons? The snow and ice, worrying about other cars on the road.
Do you own a car? Yes.
Would you recommend biking to anyone? Sure.
Jeff Walker
Job: Professor of biology
Years biking: Two years (drove to work prior)
Kind of bike: Multiple, Trek old style hybrid commuter
Time it takes to bike to work: 24 minutes
Do you bike in all seasons? Not during the winter; worried about cars sliding on the roads.
Pros? It’s a way of life, fitness program, get to see wildlife.
Cons? None, drivers are generally courteous of bikers, they have to obey traffic laws.
Do you bike anywhere else? Sometimes running errands on the way, it gets harder when you have kids.
Do you own a car? Yes.
Would you recommend biking? Yes, it’s a lifestyle commitment change to not be dependent on a car; anyone can bike who has a confident and aggressive personality.