The Quispamsis Climate Change Committee has partnered with the Kennebecasis Public Library and two local bike shops to purchase and donate four new bicycles to the library.

The donation is one of the Committee’s climate change and energy initiatives to promote active transportation in the community.

The bicycles – two (2) 2023 Marlin 6 Trek cross country mountain bikes and two (2) Cannondale Adventure 2 hybrid-styled bikes – are now available to the public for seven-day loans through the library’s Object Lending Program.

“Transportation is one of the leading causes of increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere,” said Councillor Emil Olsen, the chair of the Quispamsis Climate Change Committee. “Riding a bike is a legitimate climate solution. It also promotes a healthy lifestyle. We encourage all modes of active transportation that help our environment.”

The Object Lending Program allows users to borrow the bicycles, and other items like bird-watching kits, hiking kits, knitting needles, and skateboards, in the same way they borrow books.

“The library is pleased to receive this donation from the Quispamsis Climate Change Committee,” said Acting Library Director Norah Emerson of the Kennebecasis Public Library. “Literacy comes in many forms, including physical literacy. The donation of these bikes will be a wonderful complement to the library’s Object Lending program, and will allow patrons to explore the Valley’s many trails and parks on two wheels. The opportunity to test out active transportation for free is a great introduction to its benefits.”

The bicycles were purchased by the Quispamsis Climate Change Committee from Millennium Cycle & Sport and Bikes and Beans. The Committee and library thank the shops for their partnership and wish to acknowledge their commitment to safe, reliable and enjoyable active transportation.

Photo (l to r): Allison Maxwell, Kennebecasis Public Library Acting Board Chair; Emil Olsen, Councillor and Chair of the Quispamsis Climate Change Committee; Libby O’Hara, Quispamsis Mayor and ex-Officio Kennebecasis Library Board member; Norah Emerson, Kennebecasis Public Library Acting Library Director; Noah Donovan, Councillor and council representative on the Kennebecasis Public Library Board.