Peddlin’ around; a week of bicycle activities

Dana Kudelka
WINONAN

  

 

 

 
 
From Sugarloaf Bluff to Levee Park by the Mississippi River, Winona is known for attracting tourists who strive for the outdoor scene.
Last year, Winona State University president Judith Ramaley and other university officials signed “Sustain Winona – A Community Sustainability Collaboration” as a way to promote energy conservation and sustainability within the Winona community. In light of the initiative, the Climate Commitment Challenge was formed.
Bringing Bike Week to Winona State’s campus was one goal of their committee.
Gretchen Michlitsch, a faculty member of the committee, said with the rise of gas prices, there are now more reasons then ever for people to get out and use their bikes.
Michlitsch developed the idea of Bike Week with help from other faculty and student members who share positions on the transportation sub-committee of Ramaley’s initiative.
The transportation sub-committee wanted to promote local businesses, said Michlitsch. Owners of Kolter Bicycle & Fitness and Adventure Cycle & Ski have been closely involved.
“Both businesses are contributing prizes for the raffle and water bottles at one of the events.”
The sub-committee received a good deal from Kolter Bicycle, where they received blinking LED taillights and all equipment used for the bike tune-ups.
“Students were sold bike stands and tools at cost,” said Michlitsch.
The sub-committee teamed up with Winona State’s Environmental Club and Cycling Club as a way to find new ideas and spread the message about Bike Week.
Michlitsch said a goal of the sub-committee is to develop a permanent bike repair co-op on campus.
“We dream to find space one evening a week for all students could come and fix their bikes.”
All week from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the gazebo, free bike tune-ups will be available to anyone interested in fixing up their bikes.
Carly McMillen, a sophomore at Winona State, came to get her bike seat tightened and more air in her tires.
McMillen believes Bike Week is a good idea because it brings more bike awareness to Winona State.
Zach Wormwood, a junior at Winona State, filled McMillen’s tires with air.
Wormwood, a member of the Environmental Club, also hopes Bike Week will bring more awareness to bike use on campus.
On Tuesday night, the documentary “World Naked Bike Ride” by Johnny Zapatos was shown in Science Lab Center 120. The United Kingdom-based documentary featured the first international naked bike ride in 2004.
Today at 5:30pm, Bike Week is sponsoring a bike ride around Lake Winona. Michlitsch hopes many people from the Winona community will join in.
“We are hoping for as many people as possible.”

Contact Dana at DJKudelk7481@winona.edu