TREK donates 30 bicycles to UW-Whitewater
Released: March 19, 2002
Thirty top of the line bicycles worth more than $22,000 have been donated to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater by its neighbor, Trek Bicycle Corporation, to establish new bicycling courses.
“Trek sees this as a relationship rather than a donation,” said Gary Ellerman, director of human resources at the Trek headquarters in Waterloo, Wis. “It’s not a standard marketing deal. This is unique, having a university in our own back yard.”
Jeffrey Barnett, dean of the College of Education, called the partnership an “historic occasion.” He said the donation will stimulate a program leading to healthy and active lifestyles, which is a core value of the university. The new DLK Fieldhouse and newly-renovated Williams Center complex is one of the finest recreation facilities in the state, he noted, and this partnership will benefit the educational curriculum offered there.
The donated bicycles are 24-speed Trek 7500 Hybrids, a multi-track, cross bike which can be used on pavement or off-road. Ellerman described the bikes as easy to get on and control. Riders sit upright in a comfortable position. The suggested retail value for each bike is $750.
Virginia Hicks, chair of the health, physical education, recreation and coaching department, initially made a proposal to Trek, outlining potential courses and activities. Trek embraced the idea and this spring the first “Bicycling for Fitness” course is being offered. Designed for beginners, the class covers riding technique, maintenance, repairs, safety, equipment, benefits of cycling, touring and more. Students, many of whom do not own a bike, participate in trips ranging from five to 50 miles.
“Bicycling is an independent lifetime activity that once you learn how to do you never forget,” said Hicks, who has toured coast to coast and completed the annual bike ride across Iowa 10 times. “It doesn’t stress knee joints and provides a good cardiovascular workout. Plus, there’s nothing like the feel of fresh air in your face.”
Future related classes to be offered could include mountain biking, triathlons, biathlons, bicycle touring and bike and boulder. Hicks hopes various workshops and bike rallies will be developed for students and the community. Bike experts from two local bike stores are teaching about repairs and maintenance in the current course.
Trek is the leading independent bicycle company in the country. Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France riding a Trek. Its bicycles are manufactured at the main plant in Waterloo and assembled and painted at the Whitewater plant, which employs around 300 people. The plant builds about 250,000 bicycles each year.
In addition to the Trek donation, 30 bike racks and attached locks have been donated by Graber Products, Inc., a company on the west side of Madison which manufactures bike transit systems, storage racks and training equipment. Graber is also giving UW-Whitewater a movable bike trainer which aids instructors in teaching about bicycles. The total value of Graber’s gift is about $1,700.
- Jane Provorse,provorsj@uww.edu
