Introducing the Groundwork! Cruiser

Hollihock Writers Conference founder Dominic Perri making preparations for this weekend’s event on the Groundwork! Cruiser. (Note: A helmet is mandatory and cell phone use while cycling is not condoned! but Dom was just testing out the seat.)

New York City may have its Citi Bikes – but New Bedford now has the Groundwork! fleet! Better yet, it’s free for members!

Okay – I may be getting head over handlebars here – but for their latest bit of inspired co-working and place-making, Groundwork! founders Sarah Athanas and Dena Haden went shopping this past weekend and arrived back at 1213 Purchase Street Monday morning with a shiny new orange bike – and then shared the news with members:

“The next time you need to make a quick trip downtown for lunch or errands, grab the Groundwork! bike. We have a shiny new cruiser at your disposal that is the first in our shared bike fleet. The bike is equipped with a basket and u-lock and we also have a helmet you can use.”

It’s a terrific idea – though I admit I’m biased. Though well past the birthdate to call myself a “Millennial,” I share the age group’s disdain of the automobile, especially in urban settings. I believe cars helped ruin cities over the course of the 20th century by first pushing out streetcars, then draining resources from public transportation and, always, always, always squeezing out bike lanes.

But now, I’m not alone in that feeling – in addition to an entire generation, I have the founders of Groundwork! on my side! Sarah is well-known for biking to work whenever possible and Dena’s love of the outdoors finds her wandering the neighborhood whenever the mood and need for fresh air and open vistas strike. Many Groundwork! members share the mindset. This connection with surrounding community has helped turn the co-working facility into a place-maker here in New Bedford.

The new Groundwork! cruiser will not only be a useful benefit to members for running errands downtown, it also promises a bit of fun during the weekday. I can’t wait to glide across the nearby New Bedford / Fairhaven Bridge on autumn afternoons to clear the cobwebs while taking in the stunning view of the harbor from Pope’s Island.

On more adventurous days, it’s possible to easily slip right down to the South End along the waterfront and ride right onto the new Harbor Walk atop New Bedford’s famed Hurricane Barrier.

Sure, that may imply there will be less actual working in co-working. But, if life is all about balance then finding inspiration on two tires has to be entered onto the positive side of the ledger and a good thing.

As long you get the Groundwork! cruiser back to headquarters by 5:00 p.m.!

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Steven Froias

Mad Man at Groundwork!

Steven Froias is Groundwork!'s resident blogger. He sleeps in the boiler room at 1213 Purchase Street.