Illustration by Anna Grofik
Are you ever jealous of people zipping around campus on a bike? Biking is the most common form of transportation worldwide, as well as the most efficient. Conn students have access to these miraculous fuel-free inventions through CC Cruisers and Spokespeople, Conn’s student-run bike collective.
Spokespeople has two main functions. It maintains the upkeep of the rental bikes students can find in front of Shain Library. There are between three and ten “CC Cruisers” resting in the rack right by the front steps of Shain on any given day. If one goes to Shain’s circulation desk, they can check out a bike for the remainder of the day, just like a book. These bikes can be used to ride into New London for the afternoon, or for some daily exercise. One may rent out a bike as many times as he or she wishes. If the rider returns the bike late more than three times, there are some restrictions placed on their account.
Students can also rent a bike for longer than a day. Semester rentals are on a need-based system, so if somebody works in New London or takes classes at the Coast Guard and doesn’t own a car, they would be offered first dibs. After those individuals have been given the opportunity to rent a bike, the system then becomes a first-come first-serve basis. In order to ensure a one hundred percent return rate, students who rent for a semester must place a twenty-dollar deposit. If you are interested in renting a bike, contact Connor Trapp.
Connor Trapp ’18, the Spokespeople coordinator and mechanic, is from Wilmette, Illinois. Trapp initially became interested in bikes when restoring his uncle’s Schwinn Stingray – the iconic old-fashioned bike from the sixties. By taking the bicycle apart, cleaning all the pieces and putting it back together, Trapp gained an understanding of the mechanics of bicycles. He then applied his knowledge in a bike shop, where he has worked for the past two summers. Last spring, he took on the managerial position for Spokespeople.
During the 2014-2015 academic year, the club simmered out of existence. The senior in possession of the CC Cruisers passed on the bikes to Trapp before graduating. Trapp aspires to bring Spokespeople back to its former glory. Referring to years past, “[Spokespeople] was more involved” in campus life, Trapp said. “I saw it and wanted to restore it!” Now, with great enthusiasm, Trapp is working towards success.
Currently, Trapp is interested in finding people at Conn who are interesting in joining Spokespeople. The unique club is in need of more mechanics, or people who are interested in learning how to fix bikes. Trapp has spoken to the head of the Cycling Club to develop a symbiotic relationship between the two organizations. He hopes to teach some of the cyclists how to repair their own bikes, so that they can eventually help Spokespeople repair school bikes.
Spokespeople is located in the “KB tunnel.” Spokespeople was moved to the KB tunnel because its previous location was taken by administration for other uses. The tunnel was offered as compensation. A graphitized chalkboard hangs on the door to Spokespeople’s home base: “Coming soon: open hours on Fridays.”
If you have interesting in checking out the workshop or joining the club, email Connor Trapp at ctrapp@conncoll.edu. •
