The Lumberjack

Issue date: 11/14/07 Section: Community

For 10 years, Arcata residents could check out bicycles like they do books at the library.

Not Anymore.

Bill Burton, director of the Library Bike non-profit, is frustrated by the lack of financial support for the program. He blames the City of Arcata, Humboldt State University and the medical marijuana industry for the program's elimination.

About six months ago, Burton was evicted from Sacci's Garage, located between "H" and "I" Streets on 8th Street, because he couldn't pay the increased rent. The Library Bike program moved from there to the North Coast Co-Op parking lot until last week when it closed for the foreseeable future.

Burton said that he realized a non-profit has to produce its own funding, but for the last two years, the city denied the program any grant money.

He said that Humboldt Medical Supply, a medical marijuana dispensary, could afford the higher rent at his old shop. He said that the marijuana industry should promote a clean and energy efficient community, but they consume energy, push up rent and support capitalism.

"That is the thorn in my side," he said.

Burton wonders why the City of Arcata wouldn't want such a program. He sent 4,200 recycled bikes out to the community in the last four years. The Library Bike program checked out used bikes in exchange for a $20 refundable deposit. If people wanted to keep the bikes they could.

The shop also repaired bikes, provided free repair education and recycled used bikes and parts. He said that losing the program feels like a step back for a forward-thinking community.

Danco Property Management owns the property where Library Bike used to be located. The public relations representative for Danco, Lindsey Myers, said that Danco supported the Library Bike's goal of offering affordable altrnative transportation with minimal environmental impact. Burton, however, was aware that his month-to-month lease rate, which was about one-third the normal commercial price, was temporary.

"[It] was clearly stated in Burton's rental agreement," she said.

Danco is renovating the building and found two commercial businesses to move in. Myers said that Humboldt Medical Supply found the rent there to be less expensive than other commercial space.

Rita's Restaurant will occupy the other half of the building. Its owners will pay higher rent than Humboldt Medical Supply because its space needs more renovation. Meyers said that the type of business renting the space does not determine the price of rent.

Maxwell Unger, a senior appropriate technology and geology major at Humboldt State, sees a need for a program that promotes bicycles as alternative transportation. He said that the Library Bike was a useful program. To keep it going, he said maybe it could team up with GreenWheels, a campus alternative transportation club.

Steven Butler, vice president of student affairs at Humboldt State said that he wasn't aware of a need for a bicycle sharing and recycling program at the university.

William Jacks, biology senior at Humboldt State, agrees with Unger. He said that the City of Arcata should make room for the Library Bike program.

"It's so positive," he said. "How could you let it slip through your fingers?"


Heather Brewer can be reached at hib4@humboldt.edu

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