Wednesday, August 20, 2008

This Is not Art 2008 Bike Library and Otesha 2008

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*** This Is not Art 2008 Bike Library ***
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From http://www.thisisnotart.org/bike-library/

So, you want an easy way to get around town while you are enjoying the festival? You want to have fun, want to be engaged with your surroundings, you want it cheap, and you like it pollution free? BIKES. BIKES. BIKES. And BIKES!
You can pick up a push bike to ride from the Bike Library which will be operating during This Is Not Art courtesy of the Newcastle Bike Ecology Centre. The Bike Library will be set up in Civic Park from 11am - 4pm every day of the festival. A fully refundable deposit is required for bike hire plus deposits for helmet and lock. Deposit prices are usually around $30 but may be less or more depending on the condition of the bike.
Pre-register now - For a ready to ride bike
If you would like to have the use of a bike during the festival, the best thing to do is to pre-register with Dan the Bike Man.
Let him know you want a bike and include any specifications you might require, such as bike size. Pre-registration BEFORE 19 SEPTEMBER is essential if you want to ensure there is a bike built and ready for you during the festival.
DIY bike repair workshops - Fix your own bike during the festival
Dan the Bike Man is mad keen for bikes. Mad keen for fixing bikes which have been discarded as junk. He reckons reclaiming and fixing up your own bike - and using it - is the best thing you can do to counter consumer-culture and its symptomatic social disaffection, as well as our dependence on petroleum, pollution and car culture. And the easiest - he'll show you how! With a little know-how and the courage to try, you can fix most bike maladies - the only new thing you need is wet cement for punctures. Come to the Bike Library in Civic Park any time 11am - 4pm for a workshop on fixing up a bike.
Bike Library & DIY Bike Repair Workshops
Civic Park, Newcastle
Thursday 02, Friday 03, Saturday 04, Sunday 05 & Monday 06 October
11.00 - 16.00
Fix your own bike before the festival
Alternatively, if you live locally, drop into the centre prior to the festival and build your own bike for FREE with the help of bike inspired volunteers.

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*** The Otesha Project (Australia): Cycling for Sustainability ***
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Bike grease, sustainability, adventure, and endless peanut-butter sandwiches: Otesha hits the road on a mission to empower youth

Are you passionate about sustainability and looking for something a little different to do this coming summer? And what about bicycles? Have you ever dreamt about riding around parts of Australia on two wheels? If so, then why not put those dreams into action and join The Otesha Project (Australia): Cycling for Sustainability's forthcoming adventures. The project is currently seeking 40 participants to take part in two six-week cycle tours: Brisbane to Newcastle (15 November – 22 December 2008); Melbourne regional loop (18 January – 1 March 2009).
Since 2000, The Otesha Project (Aus.) has pedalled across Australia educating youth and raising awareness about environmental sustainability and social justice issues. Otesha is a Swahili word for 'reason to dream' and is the underlining philosophy of the organisation. The Otesha crew combines theatre performance with interactive workshops to empower high school students to consider their life choices to ensure a positive future.
Current consumption behaviours in Australia have far reaching consequences that are both unsustainable and inequitable. The negative impacts of these practices usually affect the most disempowered people in society, including young people who now face an uncertain future. For Shane Bill – co-director of Otesha (Aust.) – it is about making small changes: ”It is recognising the need and challenging ourselves to slowly adjust our lifestyles,” he says. ”For instance, perhaps you might choose to say no to plastic bags. Such a choice has a rippling effect in our community and beyond: it not only creates less demand for petrol products, reduces the harm to sea life and creates less waste, but it also encourages and inspires those around us to do the same. By empowering the youth of today, we support the future leaders of tomorrow to create a more sustainable world.”
Worried about your bicycle touring experience? Don't have much knowledge about sustainable consumption issues? Never fear, that's why an Otesha bicycle tour is here!
Otesha (Aust.) is seeking individuals from all walks of life – people with varying experiences, backgrounds and interests. While on tour, participants not only learn skills to become strong advocates for living sustainably, but also develop skills such as media communication, leadership, acting, and communal living.
”One of the most beautiful aspects of being on tour is the change and growth of the actual participants,” says Shane. ”Being the change they want to see...brings a smile to my face.”
The application deadline for tour participants is August 15, 2008. For information about applying visit the Otesha (Aust.) website at www.otesha.org.au/biketours/apply.

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Shane Bill
Co-Director
The Otesha Project (Australia): Cycling for Sustainability

Web www.otesha.org.au