Brattleboro Reformer: Putney ‘pedals’ climate message

This town is reducing its carbon footprint one pedal at a time. The Putney Energy Committee, a Selectboard-endorsed group, has officially launched its bike project. Over the past few months members of the committee have been scouring though piles at the dump, and going through discarded parts at the West Hill Shop to piece together a fleet of public bicycles. Five bicycles, all painted green, have stood ready for the riding, dispersed between the library, town hall and the Putney Food Co-op.

“Our goal is to reduce car traffic in town and to reduce pollution and energy use,” said Daniel Hoviss, Putney Energy Committee chairman. “We want to create a groundswell of little projects and become an inspiration for other towns across the state and country.” This isn’t the only initiative the Energy Committee has undertaken to help Putney reduce its energy use.

The group helped change more than 675 traditional lightbulbs around town to the more energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs by purchasing them in bulk and distributing them at cost to residents. They want to convert all of the street lights in town to more energy-efficient, they have encouraged the Selectboard to endorse a no-idling ordinance and they are working to get the necessary permits for a small-scale hydroelectric power plant on Sacketts Brook. The bike project is the group’s latest attempt to transform Putney into a cleaner, greener, more energy-efficient town.

“We have gotten so used to getting in our cars, turning them on and driving half a block. That stuff is nuts,” said Diny Sweitzer, co-owner of the West Hill Shop. “I love the idea of using bikes to reduce the use of cars.” Sweitzer allowed Hoviss to glean what he could from a supply of old and outdated equipment at the store.

She also sold the energy group bike parts at cost and has agreed to be an official sponsor of the project. “We really liked what he was trying to do,” Sweitzer said about Hoviss’ effort. “It is all about changing consciousness. It’s that grass-roots thing. It could get spread around and picked up. People might see what Putney is doing.” The five bicycles, and there are three more that are close to coming on line, are unlocked and ready for use in downtown Putney. They have a basket on the back and a helmet in each basket.

One of the challenges, Hoviss said, was figuring out a system so that when a rider came out to get back on the bike it had not been put to use by a different bike commuter. So each bicycle has a Velcro strap with the words, “in use” that goes on to the seat when someone is inside completing an errand. The bikes will stay around into the fall and be stored away for winter. They’ll be back in the spring for more green commuting. The idea to host a Putney bicycle caravan came out of an Energy Committee brain-storming session, Hoviss said.

The bikes are being used, and to date they are being cared for and respected. “Our plan was to paint them green, fix them up, put a little sign on them and let them go,” Hoviss said. “In a way it’s a big experiment.” There is no physical area limit to the use of the public bicycles, as long as they return to Putney every evening. They can be taken down into Brattleboro or up to Bellows Falls, but the committee hopes they make it home into their bike racks when riders are done with them. Putney is perfectly aligned for such a program.

A resident with a list of chores could park at the north end of town, leave the car, and hit the post office, the bank, town hall and the food co-op without burning any fossil fuel or emitting any greehouse-forming gas. And the bike will be there for the next person. “People are doing this in New York and Amsterdam.

The idea seems to be popping up all over the place,” said Hoviss. “Our goal is to eliminate car use. We are facing a cataclysmic change in climate because of human activity and this is about averting that cataclysm. It starts at home. Every little bit helps.” The Energy Committee is looking for more bikes, parts, helmets and bike racks. Information about the committee can be found at pec.putney.net.