杏吧原创

Each year, dozens of bicycles are abandoned across the Trinity campus. Rather than let them be destroyed by rust or thieves, Prof. Michael Kessler, Raymond Pryke Chair of the Margaret MacMillan Trinity One Program, is working with a dedicated group of Trinity students to change that.

With help from聽, a not-for-profit cycling organization based out of U of T, Prof. Kessler and the students are learning how to recycle old parts and get these bikes back into ridable condition. It鈥檚 a project that brings together two of Trinity鈥檚 ongoing values and commitments: responsible resource management, and being a force for good in our local community.

Trinity has long pursued a path of environmental action, implementing projects like the聽Gerald Larkin Building solar panels,聽urban beehives on Henderson Tower,聽geothermal heating in the new Archives聽and a storm water reclamation system, among others. This fall, Trinity鈥檚 Margaret MacMillan Trinity One Program will also enroll its first cohort of students in the聽Butterfield Environment & Sustainability Stream, providing an academic complement to green initiatives across the campus. The focus of this new stream, which examines the most challenging issues surrounding the environment and sustainability, prompted Prof. Kessler and Trinity students to search for an initiative that would have an immediate, environmental impact. The result was the launch of this new bike recycling program. With the help of Tim Connelly, Trinity鈥檚 Director of Facility Services and members of the facilities team, the abandoned bicycles were safely removed from the grounds and stored in St. Hilda鈥檚 College.

鈥淥ur eventual goal is to make these bikes available for incoming Trinity students who are newcomers to downtown Toronto. Along with environmental and health benefits, bicycling provides a great way to see the city,鈥� Prof. Kessler says.

With #BikeMonthTO celebrations continuing across the city, Trinity鈥檚 recycling program will not only put more bikes on the road, but also provide a more sustainable transit option for our community members.

鈥淭he city of Toronto is in the midst of a traffic and transit crunch and Trinity is excited to help make it easier for students to get around in an environmentally friendly manner,鈥� Prof. Kessler says. A Trinity bike-share pilot will be put in place to help students take advantage of all Toronto has to offer.

The program has also found a permanent home for three of the refurbished bikes. The Syrian family Trinity sponsored recently received the very first of these bicycles to help them explore their new city.

The program is currently accepting bike donations. If you have an unused bike you would like to give to the project, please contact Prof. Michael Kessler at mkessler@trinity.utoronto.ca.

Categories: College News; Sustainability