Promoting Pedal Power
Promoting Pedal Power
Ken Rosskopf, 64, has a cyclists physiquelong and lean. It makes sense, since his hobby, passion, and sense of community service all stem from one thingbikes.In 2001, Rosskopf, an attorney, introduced his Georgia hometown to non-profit Decatur Yellow Bikes Inc. (DYB) in an effort to share his interest in cycling with neighbors and to help alleviate traffic and congestion in Decatur (pop. 18,147), a next-door neighbor to Atlanta.
Rosskopf and DYBs volunteers recondition donated bikes, paint them bright yellow, and offer them to residents for free.
This grew from an idea where I was going to recondition one or two bicycles a week in my garage, to something that has become very popular in the community, says Rosskopf, a Southern California native and Decatur resident for 19 years. The project has outgrown Rosskopfs garage and uses donated space to store and recondition bicycles.
The program, we call Adopt-A-Bike, has evolved into a library system program, he says, where people pay a $25 refundable deposit and pick up the bike and keep it as long as they want. We do free maintenance, free tires, free tubes and then when theyre finished, they bring it back and get their money back. Its very popular among students.
In order to adopt the bike, riders also must sign a pledge to ride the bike three times a week in place of driving a vehicle. Of course, our enforcement division is very small, Rosskopf says, laughing.
Decatur is one of more than 40 cities nationwide with community bike programs. In the early 1990s, Portland, Ore., was one of the first towns to adopt the concept, and the idea later caught on in other cities, including Austin, Texas, and Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.
As word spread about DYB, members of the Decatur community began donating old 10-speeds and mountain bikes to the program. Since its inception, Rosskopf and his team of 25 volunteers have reconditioned more than 430 bicycles, and the program continues to receive about three bikes a week.
For Rosskopf, refurbishing bicycles is a form of relaxation, while cycling satisfies his competitive soul. He occasionally participates in United States Cycling Federation (USCF) road races across the country and overseas. As a member of the USCF masters team, he won the 1991 Russian National Masters Championship.
But whether competing or riding leisurely, Rosskopf enjoys the sense of freedom cycling offers, and his enthusiasm now has many others catching Yellow Bike fever.
The (communitys) response has been a little bit surprising to me, Rosskopf says. I didnt expect it. But I think they are behind it because this is a feel good program. Most of us have good bike memories from childhood and people know bike riding is good for their health and the environment.
Weve definitely increased public awareness of the bike as a serious transportation alternative, he adds.
Lyn Menne, director of the citys community and economic development, agrees. Developing a pedestrian-friendly downtown is very important to retaining our small-town character. The Yellow Bike concept helps us achieve these goalsit gets people out of their cars.
Tom Keating, a longtime Decatur resident, signed up for Adopt-A-Bike because he wanted to add an alternative form of exercise to his schedule. Bike riding has helped to gradually build up my strength and I feel great riding to the post office and the YMCA, he says.
The Yellow Bike program illustrates how one person with a coalition can make a difference, Keating says. I believe every child should have the opportunity to walk, run, ride a bike, and swim. Ken has given the community a chance to fulfill one of those four personal freedoms.
Upload Your Own Stories, Photos and Videos
Every week, American Profile magazine brings you stories that celebrate the people and places that make America great. Now we want to hear your stories and see your photos, videos and even audio.Related Stories
If you enjoyed reading this story, Promoting Pedal Power, then you might enjoy these other stories.Discuss this Article
- 'Petticoat' Memories
- Holiday Gift Guide
- Cranberry Country
- Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Dishes
- Managing Money as a Couple
- Tortellini Toss
- Yo-Yo Fanatic
- Citrus Treats
- Far Flung
- The Rocking Rockettes
- Library Cats
- What's the Deal with the Imus Ranch?
- Handcrafting Fish Lures
- Kenny Chesney's Christmas
- Barber Shops
- Home Sweet Home
- Smoke, Sizzle & Sauce!
- Knitting with Love
- Facing the Giants
- The Quilt Bus
- Blueberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake
- Everyone's Favorite Chicken
- Italian Cream Cake
- Zucchini Bake
- Chicken Supreme
- Chicken Wings
- Double Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
- Quick Apple Dumpling
- Green Tomato Casserole
- Georgia Cornbread Cake
- Slice & Bake
- A Stuffing Called Panade
- Salad Spinner
- Sweet Home Tennessee
- Holiday Lamb
- Going Cold Turkey
- Sugar & Spice (and a carton of eggnog) is So Nice
- Baby, It's Cold Outside
- Three Great Turkey and Gravy Recipes
- Four Great Cranberry Sauces
- Turkey-day dilemmas, solved!
- The Truth About Your Pet's Health
- To dye or not to dye
- Going Gray . . . or Going Broke
- Your Best Defense
- An Unwelcome House Guest
- Perfect Timing
- The Ride of My Life
- A diabetes cure?
- Live Better Now November 2009



