Just last Thursday at Hoquiam Rotary, James Noggles of Aberdeen Lions, talked with us about an Aberdeen Lions project, “Bikes from Heaven”.

The Lions have partnered with Stafford Creek Correctional Facility to repair bikes donated to the Lions. The Lions pay for the parts the offenders use to repair the bikes and the Lions donate the bikes to worthy adults and children in Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties. This is a multiple win program!!!

What I.F. citizens in the Hoquiam area donated some bikes, both good and in need of repair, and Hoquiam Lions became owners of the “green bike” project. Stafford Creek offender’s could paint and repair the bikes. The City could start marking “bike lanes” on city streets and cutting curbs all over town for these bikes to be parked in (maybe a green curb to match the bike color and perhaps a green sign). Hoquiam Business Association could fund the repairs and some local bikers could help make the project happen.

What I.F. we add a small rack/basket to the bike to allow carrying packages or personal stuff while biking.

Once this became a 2-wheeling success, it could be exported to the rest of Grays Harbor so these bikes could be in use everywhere.

The concept has already been used with umbrellas in malls and it should work for bikes too.

What I.F. we think of other sharing things we could have. Like why not provide umbrellas in small racks in the downtown area for shoppers and walkers to share? Use them and leave them in a rack when you no longer need them. We may be able to get Stafford Creek offenders to build the umbrella racks and local kids to create art for the umbrella racks.

Anybody have more ideas?