By Ashley Klann

Clark University is upholding its reputation as an eco-conscious campus with the help of Cycles of Change, a bike-themed group aimed at getting students into bike culture. They’ve already brought bike racks and a bike share program to their fellow Clarkies. Their next big challenge? An on-campus bike maintenance shop in the basement of one of the dorms.

“It’s a step to make Clark more sustainable,” said junior Lizzy Redlich. “It’s also a great way to start a community. It’s a part of what we want the university to be.”

“I helped start this as an itty bitty freshman,” said senior Katelyn McGrath. “I never imagined myself doing this.”

McGrath and Redlich are a part of the group’s primary board (or “spokes”) and illustrate how Clark is able to give students the power to change things on campus. After taking a course called “The Sustainable University,” McGrath and fellow founder Ashley Trull were on a mission: get Clarkies cycling with a bike share program.

“Cycles of Change was founded based on what students wanted Clark to be ~ a sustainable university, and they wanted to change how the university functions,” Redlich explained. “We’re a small school, and it has been a student initiative. It wouldn’t get done otherwise.”

With such a positive response to their efforts, Cycles of Change is expanding, and their upcoming maintenance shop is in the planning stages. Just what goes into prepping a storage space in the basement of a dorm?

“It’s been an arduously long process,” said Redlich. Parts need to be organized, and bikes need space.” The group is planning to have fixtures welded onto the walls to hang the over two dozen bikes, but it has been easier said than done.

“It’s a liability issue,” McGrath said. “[The campus maintenance department] Physical Plant has to come in and mount them. Then we just need to work on coordinating and making it user-friendly.”

“Bike maintenance isn’t that hard, and basic repairs are pretty easy,” Redlich said. “People shouldn’t feel intimidated about it. Once you understand the basic mechanics of it, you’re good to go. It’s also important stuff to know, safety-wise. If you get a flat tire by yourself, and you don’t know how to fix it, you’re stuck.”

The group’s spokes are hoping to encourage a greener, more active lifestyle on campus and also teach fellow students about bike culture. “If you have anything in life, you need to know how to maintain it. It’ll be a huge educational tool,” McGrath said. “We want to promote sustainable transportation and make people want to use their bike.”

Clark hasn’t been the only help in getting Cycles of Change on the road. Worcester’s Earn-A-Bike was also very influential, and provided many of the group’s bicycles through their volunteer program.

“Clark Bike Share wouldn’t be here without them, hands down,” McGrath said.

The students are also excited about bringing the campus closer to the city.

“Worcester is a really cool place and has a lot to offer, and you don’t really get that if you don’t have a way to get around,” Redlich said.

“Some Clarkies never leave campus. They’re in a bubble,” McGrath said. “I ride all through the neighborhoods around Main South. It helps me build a connection to the city.”

Photo courtesy of Greg Doerschler