Volunteers fix the climate, one bike at a time

Volunteers in New Zealand will fix bikes as part of the world’s largest day of practical action to fight climate change.

On Sunday October 10, people across the planet will pick up spanners, hammers, and shovels and join the 10/10/10 Global Work Party.

Organizers of Bike Fix-up events in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin expect hundreds of people to haul disused bikes out of sheds and, with the help of volunteer mechanics, get them back on the road.

"We're doing our bit to fix the climate, one bike at a time," said Cycling Advocates' Network spokesperson Patrick Morgan.

“We're showing our leaders that we're getting started, and asking them what they are doing to fix the climate problem.”

“Instead of waiting for unproven technology like biodiesel-fuelled jets, carbon capture and sequestration or geo-engineering, let's start with a practical, cheap solution – more people biking.”

Mr Morgan said everyone wins when there are more people biking.

"There's less traffic congestion, less pollution, people are healthier, and businesses benefit from people having more disposable income."

Bikes outsell cars in New Zealand, said Pippa Coom, organiser of Auckland’s Big Bike Fix Up, but bikes often get put into storage because many people lack the skills to fix a puncture.

“At the Big Bike Fix Up, the Tumeke Cycle Space team will be showing people how to keep their bikes running.”

“We estimate there are a million bikes in storage. Getting these bikes fixed up and on the road will make a massive contribution to cutting our carbon emissions as well as easing Auckland’s traffic congestion,” says Ms Coom.

New Zealand fix-up days will join thousands of events across the planet.

The 10/10/10 Global Work Party is being coordinated by the international climate campaign 350.org. Photos and video from thousands of simultaneous events across the planet will also be available for the media at 350.org/media.

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