Humber is becoming a greener campus and everyone is participating! Humber Sustainability Highlights feature people and departments around the College integrating sustainable practices. The spotlight this month is on Hopeton Lyle, Housekeeping Coordinator at the North Campus Student Residence.

At the end of every academic year, students leave some of their unwanted belongings at the residence. This year, 12 bicycles – still in good condition – were left behind. After some extensive research about organizations that take in used bikes, Lyle donated them to a non-profit organization called Charlie’s FreeWheels.

“We [housekeeping staff] wanted to make sure that the bicycles would be reused, so we donated them to a charity that helps benefit the community – youth specifically. We’re happy to know we were able lend a hand by simply donating,” says Lyle.

This initiative includes two pillars of sustainability: environmental by reusing the bicycles and social by helping youth in the community.

What does Charlie’s FreeWheels do?

Founded in 2009, Charlie’s FreeWheels uses bicycles to inspire a spirit of exploration and to mobilize, empower and engage youth.

Alix Aylen, Charlie’s FreeWheels Program Coordinator, says the donated bikes from the Student Residence will be used for their free Build-a-Bike program.

It teaches participants how to build and maintain a bike and road safety. At the end of a session, students keep the bike they built along with a helmet and a lock!

Charlie’s FreeWheels runs other activities throughout the year: a fall Build-a-Bike Program, Girls & Trans Build-a-Bike Program, Charlie’s Rides – when participants explore the city and the GTA and Drop-In Hours is for anyone who wants to use the tools in the shop or ask questions from a mechanic.

Charlie’s FreeWheels runs other activities throughout the year: a fall Build-a-Bike program and a Girls & Trans Build-a-Bike Program that starts in September; Charlie’s Rides – a group ride that meets up at the shop every Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and Drop-In Hours for youth to come into the shop to work on their bikes with access to bike tools and Charlie’s volunteer mechanics.

The non-profit organization was inspired by Charlie Prinsep who was struck and killed by a vehicle in 2007 while he was on a cross-continental cycling journey. In memory of Prinsep, his friends created Charlie’s FreeWheels.

“Inspired by his ideals, we hope to foster urban access and a spirit of exploration in Toronto’s youth,” says Charlie’s FreeWheels.

How can you support Charlie’s FreeWheels?

Aylen says the organization is always accepting bike donations for student use and is recruiting for volunteers to fill the roles:

• Advocacy Facilitators
• Bike mechanics
• Cooks
• Graphic Designers

More information about Charlie’s FreeWheels is on their website! To donate or volunteer email alix@charliesfreewheels.ca