Ten years ago when Sheila and Ron Hokanson’s bicycling days drew to an end, the couple did what many people do: they tucked their bikes away in the basement of their home and forgot about them. Today, those two bikes are again seeing the light of day as the most recent donations to Clark’s Bike Share program, which celebrated its first anniversary in March.
Sheila, who is Managerial Secretary in the Sociology Department, was one of three long time Clark employees recognized this spring for their donations to the Bike Share program. Women’s Basketball Coach Pat Glispin also had a dormant road bike in her basement which she liberated for the Bike Share program, while John Balcunas, Physical Plant’s Supervisor of HVAC and Preventative Maintenance, brought in several bikes he had rescued.
Clark staff members with their donated bicycles are pictured with students from "Cycles of Change": (left to right) Sasha Susman '10, Pat Glispin, Jordan Stein '13, Jeff Amari '11, Sheila Hokanson, John Balcunas, Allyson Trull '10, and Ashley Trull '10.
Anchored under the red canopy at the University Center, the bike share fleet consists entirely of bicycles “re-cycled” by the student volunteers in Clark’s “Cycles of Change” club, which manages the Bike Share program. Some of the bikes were donated by students, while others were “earned” at Worcester’s Earn-a-Bike shop by the Cycles of Change volunteers. The bikes may be borrowed free of charge during the academic year at the University Center information desk by any member of the Clark community who has signed up in for the program and received a brief orientation.
With goals of promoting physical exercise, sustainable transportation, connection with the community, and recreation, the Bike Share program has become immensely popular since its launch in spring ’09. This year, the bikes were signed 1100 times by a few hundred riders, and Cycles of Change is geared up for more expansion next fall.
While the Bike Share program does not formally operate during the summer months, its fleet will still be put to good use. For instance, don’t be surprised when you see John Balcunas pedaling across campus with his bucket of tools on Pat Glispin’s donated bicycle as he services Clark’s HVAC systems.
Contact the Bike Share program for more information.
