often have so much fun riding around to different places that we don't come home until dark. So now I always make sure to bring along our lights." Many encouraging changes come through innovative ideas and projects by local businesses. Terra Nova Ecological Landscaping has led the way in demonstrating the potential of human powered transportation. Ken Foster, a landscape contractor and owner of the business, decided to replace his pickup truck with bicycles. He worked together with a local engineer to design a trailer to carry a lawn mower and other landscaping tools. The idea worked. They soon had more trailers built and hired more cyclist/landscapers to expand the operation, which they call the "Tread Lightly" service. In order to keep their clients somewhat clustered together, and help build community ties, they offer discounts to people who get their neighbors to sign up for the bike service. They now serve over 44 clients with several bike trailers. They're prominent riding around town, and the workers often pull over to answer questions, making public education part of their work. Two local bike shops, Surf City Cycles and Bohemian Bicycles, both provide used bikes, parts, and repairs to the community at reasonable prices. They stress bicycling as practical transportation for everyone, and they help get as many people on bikes as possible through extensive bike recycling programs. Surf City Cycles also rents bikes to tourists and local residents. Bohemian Bicycles has a small cycling library in their store. Another active Santa Cruz business is Cycle America, run by dedicated bicyclist Martin Krieg. Martin publishes regional travel guides for bicyclists, called the Cycle America Resource Directories or C.A.R.D. He's using the profits from this business to help create a cross-country, car-free bike trail called the National Bicycle Greenway. Local organic farmers, restaurants, and health food stores have also participated in the movement by contributing food to be sold at People Power events. The organic "salad burritos" made from greens grown by Above, Terra Nova Ecological Landscaping serves clients with their 'Tread Lightly' service. Using bikes with attached trailers to get to customers, instead of the standard gas-guzzling pick-up. The trailers are able to hold lawn mowers, rakes, etc and can carry lawn debris to be composted. Below, a funky Santa Cruz landmark, with a bicyclehelicopter on its roof, Surf City Cycles has an extensive bike recycling program. Whereas many stores no longer take on trade in used bikes, this one helps get as many people on bikes as possible without consuming lots of natural resources. Instead of giving up on that old bike, you'll be able to find that rare part here! Page 16 RAIN Summer 1996 Volume XV, Number 1
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