December 14, 2007
Bowling
Green, Ky. - It’s been an uphill climb, but the Big Red’s Bikes program is ready to roll at Western Kentucky University.
Ellen Hagan, a graduating senior from Eugene, Ore., has been working on the project for WKU’s GreenToppers Students for Campus Sustainability.
“I come from a bicycle-friendly community,” said Hagan, whose parents Jerry and Sharon met on the Hill in the 1970s before moving to Oregon. “When I first came to college, I couldn’t believe that Bowling Green was so far behind in bicycle friendliness.”
Hagan, a biology major and entrepreneurship minor, received a one-hour independent study credit for the project. Even though launching the project and refurbishing the bikes has been time-consuming, “in the end it’s well worth it,” she said.
Hagan has received encouragement and support for the project from the GreenToppers and biology faculty member Ouida Meier. “The GreenToppers are all about campus sustainability and making everyone aware of environmental issues,” Hagan said.
Since many international students need transportation on and near campus, the Office of International Programs offered to house Big Red’s Bikes in the Sofia-Downing International Center.
“It’s a perfect fit for international students,” Hagan said.
The bikes will be available for check-out weekdays at the Office of International Programs.
“The staff of the Office of International Programs is very excited to be a part of the Big Red’s Bikes project on which Ellen Hagan has worked so hard,” said Robin Borczon, director of International Services. “We think the bikes will be well utilized by both international and domestic students and are thrilled to be helping Ellen, the GreenToppers, our campus and the world become just a little ‘greener’ as we share intersecting bike paths.”
Hagan has been interested in bicycling since her childhood in Oregon. Learning to work on bicycles was another matter. “It’s been very interesting,” she said. “I was just determined to do it. Then I decided to paint them red and so it’s Big Red’s Bikes.”
She has refurbished eight bicycles and collected helmets, chains, tires, tubes and bike locks.
Even though Hagan’s career at WKU is over, she’s confident that use of Big Red’s Bikes will accelerate with support from the GreenToppers and the Office of International Programs.
“I just want people to understand that bicycling is awesome,” she said. “Students should embrace bicycling.”
More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.
For information, contact International Programs at (270) 745-4857.
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