Students seek eco-friendly transportation
With the fuel crisis at a peak, the Bike Club on campus finds a way to battle gas guzzling
Cara Sullivan
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: Health and Science
Remember a time on Christmas morning when you would rush into the living room, ecstatic to find a new bicycle with your name on it?
Chances are your treasured bike is now stored in the garage or has been given to a thrift store. But with gas prices expected to rise once again and fossil fuel pollution increasing, now might be a great time to renew an interest in biking.
It may be impossible to stop driving a vehicle entirely, but reducing the amount of time spent driving could aid in solving the fuel crisis, says Marsha Bollinger, chair of the department of environmental sciences and studies.
She suggests combining errands while carpooling and finding activities to do at home or on campus. She also says students should evaluate whether a drive is really necessary; oftentimes, outings are unnecessary or can be scaled down.
Bike Club members on campus save gas and energy by bicycling more, trying to reduce negative environmental impact.
The club meets every Saturday morning to begin an 18-mile ride around Rock Hill with other cyclists from the Rock Hill Bike Club. At some point, the club members hope to form two racing teams.
"I usually ride for performance, trying to set a new time for myself each time I go out," said Greyson Holder, a Bike Club member and computer science major.
Holder said he finds the Bike Club to be a great way to meet new people and form close relationships with others who share his love for biking.
Sophomore environmental studies major and bike club president Elizabeth Allred says the club is open to rookies and professionals alike, and that she has only been biking for six months.
"Biking is an active sport," Allred said. "Although people can seriously get involved with racing, biking can also be relaxing."
For now, Allred says, "we're just a club to unite bikers."
While the Bike Club may not be addressing environmental issues right now, Allred says individuals across campus find their own way to combat the energy crisis, and club sponsor and political science professor Christopher Van Aller plans to eventually incorporate environmental concern with the club's current goal of uniting bikers.
Chances are your treasured bike is now stored in the garage or has been given to a thrift store. But with gas prices expected to rise once again and fossil fuel pollution increasing, now might be a great time to renew an interest in biking.
It may be impossible to stop driving a vehicle entirely, but reducing the amount of time spent driving could aid in solving the fuel crisis, says Marsha Bollinger, chair of the department of environmental sciences and studies.
She suggests combining errands while carpooling and finding activities to do at home or on campus. She also says students should evaluate whether a drive is really necessary; oftentimes, outings are unnecessary or can be scaled down.
Bike Club members on campus save gas and energy by bicycling more, trying to reduce negative environmental impact.
The club meets every Saturday morning to begin an 18-mile ride around Rock Hill with other cyclists from the Rock Hill Bike Club. At some point, the club members hope to form two racing teams.
"I usually ride for performance, trying to set a new time for myself each time I go out," said Greyson Holder, a Bike Club member and computer science major.
Holder said he finds the Bike Club to be a great way to meet new people and form close relationships with others who share his love for biking.
Sophomore environmental studies major and bike club president Elizabeth Allred says the club is open to rookies and professionals alike, and that she has only been biking for six months.
"Biking is an active sport," Allred said. "Although people can seriously get involved with racing, biking can also be relaxing."
For now, Allred says, "we're just a club to unite bikers."
While the Bike Club may not be addressing environmental issues right now, Allred says individuals across campus find their own way to combat the energy crisis, and club sponsor and political science professor Christopher Van Aller plans to eventually incorporate environmental concern with the club's current goal of uniting bikers.
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