Local resident Emily Cush knew the picture for this month's "Where Am I?" was of the bicycle repair station outside the Middletown Public Library, 700 West Main Road. Congratulations Emily and keep your eyes out for "Where Am I?" in the future.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Matt Sheley at (401) 842-6543 or msheley@middletownri.com
“WHERE AM I?” ANSWER — JUNE 2022
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (JUNE 6, 2022) – Sometimes, all you need is a set of tools and a proper work space.
That’s the hope with the bicycle repair station dedicated in the fall of 2020 outside the Middletown Public Library and another on the Turner Road side of Gaudet Middle School, the subject of this month’s “Where Am I?”
One of several people to reply, local resident Emily Cush was the first to correctly identify the location of the bicycle repair and maintenance station at the library at 700 West Main Road.
The brainchild of then Middletown High School freshman Jordan Brown, the “Community Bicycle Repair Station” was her Girl Scout Silver Award project.
At the time, Jordan said as a youngster in Middletown who relied on her bicycle to get from Point A to Point B, there were times when she needed tools to repair her ride.
Speaking with friends and people throughout the community, Jordan said she knew there were others just like her.
So, in the true spirit of the Girl Scouts, Jordan decided to do something about it.
Researching the different options, she picked the Dero Fix It unit for its function and durability.
In addition to a stand alone tire pump, there’s a place to hang a bicycle to work on it freely as well as a set of commonly used tools. A QR code can be scanned by a mobile phone for instructions and other information.
The Town Council, Middletown Public Schools, Middletown Public Library and OceanPointe Christian Church provided donations to help with the project along with those who offered private support.
According to Encyclopedia Britannica, Scottish blacksmith Kirkpatrick Macmillan built bicycles propelled by pedals, cranks, and drive rods in the early 1840s. Today, he is widely credited for inventing the bicycle.
Locally, the organization Bike Newport does extensive work to educate the public about the importance of bicycles and bike safety. For more information about that nonprofit organization, https://bikenewportri.org online.
Document Link: https://www.middletownri.com/DocumentCenter/View/4928/WAI-June-2022
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