By Rebecca Rider

Center for the Environment

Bikes are becoming increasingly popular at Catawba College.

Last year, the Center for the Environment’s Environmental Stewards encouraged Catawba students to conserve water in their dorms. Students voted to use the savings to purchase bicycles for the campus.

The project, initiated by student Dan Couchenour, has spawned a bicycle fleet that offers alternative transportation for the students. The Stewards purchased 13 bikes — 12 singles and one tandem — from Skinny Wheels bike shop in downtown Salisbury. Students can go to the Student Affairs Office to rent a bike for the day or for the weekend.

It has been a very popular investment, according to current project leader and environmental steward Joel Schlaudt. Students are often seen riding the bikes around campus and into downtown Salisbury. “It’s helping to connect the school with the city,” Schlaudt says.

The campus water conservation project is still ongoing, and the Stewards say they plan to put the savings toward purchasing more bikes.