Clearwater 2002 Wrap-up

Valet parking at Clearwater, 2002.  
Clearwater Great Hudson River Revival

The first-ever Revival Bike Center (left) welcomed 100 cyclists and prevented
nearly 500 pounds of pollution!

BIKE CENTER DEBUTS AT 2002 REVIVAL

June 15-16, 2002

On Saturday morning, as we hung signs, laid out brochures, and
arranged saw-horses in the mud-filled Croton Point Park, our mission
looked dubious. We had convinced Clearwater that the Revival was
missing an opportunity in not considering the virtues and needs of
bicyclists, but now that we had the chance to turn things around,
would our organization’s actions make a difference?

A few anxious minutes after 10 a.m., we spotted a bike coming
through the parking lot. Hooray, we thought, until the rider
continued right past our Valet Bike Parking and through the Rainbow
Gate. “I always lock up inside, the same tree every year,” he grumbled
when we offered to watch his bike, as gray clouds darkened over his
head.

But soon enough more bicyclists rolled in, and yes, they would
be grateful to leave their bikes in our care. Their appreciativeness
and good spirits made our efforts immediately worthwhile, and they
were just the beginning. By the end of the weekend, we had welcomed
100 bicycling arrivals! These riders saved nearly 500 pounds of
pollution
(approximately 455 pounds of it the greenhouse gas
carbon dioxide) that would have been emitted had they car-pooled
or taken the train and shuttle bus, according to calculations by
TIME’S UP! member Charlie Komanoff. The parking spaces they freed
up could have accommodated the audience for another stage!

Map showing where people biked from to get to Clearwater.

Riders came from all over, as is clear from the map
(left) where they marked their departure points with push pins.

The riders’ varied ages and departure points proved that riding to
the Revival is a viable option for many attendees. They came from New
York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, and they rode all kinds of bikes:
mountain, road, kiddie, tandem, mountain bike, unicycle, recumbent,
high-wheeler. The Five Boro Bike Club, New York Cycle Club,
Westchester Cycle Club, Bicycle Touring Club of New Jersey, and AIDS
Riders were all represented, and plenty of people rode with small
groups of friends or on their own. They had ridden on roads and
trails, on trains, ferries, and even in cars part of the way. Average
distance traveled was approximately 15 miles one-way.

Both the Bike Valet Parking and Bike Center, adjacent to the
Rainbow Gate, attracted the attention of Revival attendees who had not
cycled but now had their curiosity piqued. At the Bike Center, we
answered questions, gave out free information about local riding, and
educated people about the environmental, social, and health benefits
of bike riding. The Bike Valet Parking seemed particularly enticing to
those on the way out waiting for the shuttle bus — especially as the
bicyclists glided past the traffic jam for a smooth ride home.

Bike Center at Clearwater

The Bike Center (right) was a lively and engaging
addition to the Revival.

TIME’S UP! feels that the bike amenities were a big success,
especially considering the rainy weather and tight timeframe for
getting the word out about this new feature of the Revival. Looking
ahead to 2003, we hope even more of you will consider riding part or
all of the way to the festival — and you can be sure we’ll take care
of your wheels if you do.

TIME’S UP! is a not-for-profit, direct-action
environmental group that uses events and educational programs to
promote a more sustainable, less toxic New York City and region. The
TIME’S UP! concept and campaigns are shared both globally and locally
by people like you. The group is all volunteer and supported by
members and donations.

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