Bike Project stresses alternative to autos

Bicycles of all shapes all colors decorated the walls of the Reno Never Ender Gallery on Saturday night for a special fundraiser for The Reno Bike Project. The Reno Bike Project is community organization that encourages the eco friendly transportation alternative of biking.

The project’s creators, Noah Silverman, Kyle Kozar, and Mike Burke, organized the fundraiser in order to be one stop closer to their goal. They plan to open a bike shop that will carry bikes and bike parts for the general public. In the process they are collecting bicycle parts, pieces, tools and anything else they can find while keeping an optimistic view.

Kozar and Silverman relived the moments when they first fell in love with cycling. “It was when I first drew blood from a bike accident,” Silverman joked. “That’s when I first knew I loved bikes.”

Kozar had a similar experience. “It was when I was little and riding on my older brother’s bike handles,” Kozar said. “He made a sudden stop and sent me flying, I’ve been in love ever since.”

The first ever Bike Art Show began at 7pm entertaining the public with colorful and original art celebrating bicycles. There were paintings, sculptures, photographs and other art forms of wheels, cranks, tubes, and kick stands.

The public was also treated to cookies and bottles of beer. The New Belgium beer company donated the brew, Fat Tire, which is known for their bicycle logo.

“Of course a bike is not 100% better than a car but for most means of transportation it’s better and easier to take a bike,” Silverman said. “Especially to save money.”

Kozar and Silverman both agree that bicycling is a better and more positive alternative to travel.

“It’s good for you in so many ways and it wakes you up in the morning,” Kozar added. “For instance, if you’re having a bad day at work and you’re in a bad mood, instead of having to sit in your car and continue to get angrier as you sit in traffic, you can get home much faster if you take your bike, plus you’ll feel better about it.”

The team also suggests wearing a helmet. “It’s the most important thing,” Silverman said.

The turn out for the fundraiser was huge. Many locals young and old attended the gallery to view the art and support the Reno Bike Project. The organizers are hopeful that they will be able to open their store.

Silverman was indeed proud of their gallery and fundraiser. “I was surprised that so many people showed up,” Silverman said. “It was definitely a hit.”