The Gilded Bicycles are back! Thanks to the hard work of some mechanically-inclined students, the fleet of community bicycles that first appeared on campus last year is back and in use. According to Charlie Palanza '10, who has shepherded the repair and usage of the bicycles this semester, they are for the use of anyone on campus. The idea is that anyone who sees an unoccupied bicycle may use it to get to where he or she wants to go…on campus, that is. Then the rider parks it for the next person to use.
The Gilded Bicycle Guild was founded at Hamilton in late fall 2006 under the direction of Andrew LaFiandra '07. With funding from the Student Assembly bikes were purchased from Welch's Bike Shop in Utica for $40 each and became the property of the College. The Gilded fleet consists of mostly classic '50s-era one- and three-speeds, so Palanza urges riders to treat them gently. "Please don't try to catch sick air off the Science Center steps, ride them down the hill into town or toss them on the ground," Palanza wrote in the Golden Rules of bike usage. "You'll notice they don't come with helmets so ride like your grandmother would."
Last October a group of students got together to spray paint the bikes gold and name the fleet. LaFiandra wanted the names to "reflect the people who got the bikes here and the obscure and fun things behind the Guild." Among those already named are the Aaron Burr, the Utica Club, and in honor of the Guild founder, the LaFiandra, Palanza reports.
The Gilded Bicycles reside behind Glen House and Palanza is always looking for volunteers and more bikes.
The Gilded Bicycle Guild was founded at Hamilton in late fall 2006 under the direction of Andrew LaFiandra '07. With funding from the Student Assembly bikes were purchased from Welch's Bike Shop in Utica for $40 each and became the property of the College. The Gilded fleet consists of mostly classic '50s-era one- and three-speeds, so Palanza urges riders to treat them gently. "Please don't try to catch sick air off the Science Center steps, ride them down the hill into town or toss them on the ground," Palanza wrote in the Golden Rules of bike usage. "You'll notice they don't come with helmets so ride like your grandmother would."
Last October a group of students got together to spray paint the bikes gold and name the fleet. LaFiandra wanted the names to "reflect the people who got the bikes here and the obscure and fun things behind the Guild." Among those already named are the Aaron Burr, the Utica Club, and in honor of the Guild founder, the LaFiandra, Palanza reports.
The Gilded Bicycles reside behind Glen House and Palanza is always looking for volunteers and more bikes.
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Charlie Palanza talks about the Hamilton College Gilded Bicycle Guild. |
