Image by Ryan McGuire from Pixabay
Fourteen churches and nonprofits around Oberlin have newly installed bike racks, thanks to a grant from the City of Oberlin’s Sustainable Reserve Fund. Two air pumps and bike repair stations will also be installed, one at the Oberlin Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 355 E. Lorain St. (next to IGA) and the other at the George A. Abram Pavilion at 40 Edison St. The bike racks and repair stations are available for anyone in the community to use, whether they are affiliated with a church or not.
“We want to do our part in shrinking the carbon emissions footprint by encouraging our membership and friends to bike ride,” said Pastor AG Miller, who initiated the collaborative effort. Prior to the initiative, most churches in town either did not have bike racks, or had inadequate bike racks.
“I am thrilled that the Sustainable Reserve Fund is being used to support communities of faith throughout Oberlin,” commented Sustainability Coordinator Linda Arbogast, who worked with the team of pastors to develop the proposal.
In addition to creating cleaner air and reducing carbon emissions, bicycles are a form of active transportation, which has health benefits. And they are highly affordable. “The bike racks placed in churches throughout the community directly support our climate action goal to increase active transportation,” said Arbogast. The bike racks installed at most locations are made of recycled materials, bringing another environmental benefit