(originally sent August 30, 2019)
PEDAL PEOPLE NEWS SUMMER 2019 Greetings from the Pedal People Press! This is our simple, informative newsletter to support our collective path to sustainability. In this issue: * The Trinidad Bike Osmosis Project * Pedal People Cooperative Endorses Alex Jarrett for City Council * Pedal People Yard Care's Pollinator Initiative * Informative Environmental Impact Info: the next time you shop Don't take that Receipt! * Meet the Pedal People: Worker-owner Christina Horton ** TRINIDAD BIKE OSMOSIS PROJECT ** In order to explain the Trinidad Bike Osmosis Project, we have to tell a little story. In the winter of 2019, Ruthy Woodring, a founding member of Pedal People, spent 6 wonderful weeks doing a work exchange at One Family Farm in La Lune, Moruga, Trinidad. Despite the highly walkable and bikeable terrain on the island, she was surprised to see very few bicycles. When she asked the local residents about this, most said something along the lines of, "Yeah, I'd love to have a bike, there just aren't very many here, and they're expensive to get." So she thought to herself, "Well, I know a place where there's A LOT of bikes." Hence, the Trinidad Bicycle Osmosis Project was born; collecting refurbished or unused bicycles from our area and sending them to a community in Trinidad that would like to make great use of them. Pedal People has just donated a trailer to her project. Her goal is to ship a container with up to 500 donated bikes by the spring of 2020, as well as to help organize and set up a community workshop for repairs, similar to the Bike Lab. Any donations of old, unused, rideable bicycles are appreciated. Bike repair tools and parts are also needed as well as dollar donations for shipping costs. Here is a link to Ruthy's GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/8396kf-trinidad-bicycle-osmosis-project And more information about the Pedal People Bike Lab and the Trinidad Bike Osmosis Project: https://www.pedalpeople.coop/index.php?page=17 Many Thanks! ** PEDAL PEOPLE ENDORSES ALEX JARRETT FOR CITY COUNCIL** With great enthusiasm, Pedal People is officially endorsing our very own Alex Jarrett, a founding member of the Cooperative, for Northampton City Council! In Alex's own words, "I'm running because I care deeply about Northampton's future. My key issues are affordability, climate change, walkable mixed-use development, safe and sustainable transportation, inclusion and social justice. As city councilor, I will bring leadership that is responsive, energetic, and prioritizes listening and collaboration." Here is a link for more information. Alex welcomes anyone who is interested to share ideas, or become involved in his campaign: https://www.alexjarrett.com/ ** YARD CARE POLLINATOR PROJECT ** Pedal People Yard Care is launching an experimental pilot project to create migratory pollinator corridors in our local neighborhoods! This is an exciting opportunity to join our Yard Care team and your fellow neighbors in offering sanctuary and habitat to our "Local Hero" pollinators -- such as bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial creatures. Pollinators are considered 'keystone species' in an ecosystem, and are crucial human food production and local food economies. Many of these species are under attack from pesticides, habitat loss related to development, and fossil fuel exhaust. If you are interested in setting aside a portion of your lawn to plant wildflowers and herbs that feed and shelter pollinators, we invite you to reach out to us. We have limited spots available for this pilot project. The only commitment is to pay $10 per plant (of diverse species, depending on growing conditions and soil moisture). Thank you for helping Pedal People become such and lively and committed presence in our community! ** INFORMATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT INFO: Don't Take That Receipt! ** The Don't Take That Receipt! campaign is now in progress in Western Mass. The goal of the campaign to inform people about toxic chemicals in receipts. Bisphenol-A (BPA) and Bisphenol-S (BPS) are synthetic chemicals which mimic estrogen in the body and can increase the risk for breast cancer, diabetes, heart disease, infertility, and a lot more. These phenols are especially problematic in receipts because they are unbound to the paper and rub right off onto the skin with contact. Receipts are not recyclable, if you are able, skip the printed receipt! For more info, visit www.bpa-free.me ** MEET THE PEDAL PEOPLE: Christina Horton! ** We would like to introduce our newest full collective member, Christina, in her own words: "I came to the Pioneer Valley to learn all about death and dying, and I'm a dedicated hospice volunteer. My goal is to build this skill set and make death support the focus of my work. When I'm not working in hospice or hauling trash, I'm working as a house painter or playing music. I write music and love to sing in various folk traditions, especially ballads from the British Isles. I grew up near Boston, but I lived for most of the past decade in the Catskills of New York, Washington State, and in Northern California. I just completed my first year living in the area and working with Pedal People. Prior to, I worked in farming and forestry and I love being outside. Navigating Northampton on a big conspicuous bike is a great way to get to know the town, people, and bike path bears!"