Student union says the program is about more than transportation
Getting around Sackville without a vehicle can be challenging, particularly in a university town without public transit. The Mount Allison Students’ Union bike program has helped students and residents alike discover more of Tantramar while making active transportation more accessible.
The free program allows anyone to borrow a bicycle for a day with a piece of photo identification and a signed consent form. Riders are also provided with a helmet and bike lock.
Hear the story below:
Mike Stott is the vice-president of external affairs with the Mount Allison Students’ Union.
“It’s a great resource to new students, new members of the community who maybe haven’t had that chance to explore Tantramar and see the natural beauty of this place and just how truly beautiful it is,” said Stott.
Encouraging people to get outside
The Bike Co-op maintains about a dozen bicycles behind the Wallace McCain Student Centre. Users can borrow a bike for a full day before returning it to campus.
“You get the bike for 24 hours, and the only thing we ask is that obviously you keep it locked up and it’s safe somewhere. And you can just go and explore Tantramar. We have a few places listed on our website, like Silver Lake, where people, if they’re new students here, have places where they can go bike down to,” said Stott.
He says the program is intended to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors while experiencing more of the region.
“It’s really just a way that we want people to get out on their bikes and go explore Tantramar, because it’s so beautiful. And just get some exercise and enjoy the summer, and it’s open into autumn as well.”
Helping students feel at home
Stott says the bikes are regularly used by students who remain in Sackville over the summer for research projects.
“There’s plenty of people that come into the office every week for it. We have a lot of students who are here this summer doing summer research who like to go multiple times a week. I think it’s a nice way for a lot of students to go and decompress and just enjoy being outside and being in Tantramar.”
The Bike Co-op has also become a welcome resource for students arriving from farther away.
“We have a lot of students from BC. People come in here in the fall and they see that we have one and they’re like, ‘Oh, that’s great,’ and they’ll go for like a four-hour bike ride just wherever, and they love it. I think that for a lot of students, coming here as a new student, you want to have something that connects you to home,” said Stott.
He says even something as simple as a bicycle can make that transition easier.
“Even if it’s a bike, right? You love biking, and that kind of fills that gap for you a little bit. I think that’s really important, to be able to have that resource, especially when it’s just a nice day outside and you just want to go do something fun. Having those bikes is great. It’s important to know that it’s something for everyone in Sackville.”
Of note for biking destinations: Dorchester’s Sandpiper Festival is from August 7-9.
About the reporter
Clinton Davis is a PT journalist/producer with CHMA News covering Tantramar (including Sackville, Dorchester, Port Elgin, Midgic and surrounding communities). He reports on municipal government, public safety, community events, local business, regional issues and ideas across Tantramar.
