BikeAthens Hires Full-Time Program Director
Scott Long in his element.
Photo credit: Rebecca Wright
Scott began volunteering with BikeAthens in 2015. In the three years since, he has logged over 2,500 volunteer hours and assumed a growing list of duties and responsibilities.
According to Tyler Dewey, Executive Director of BikeAthens, “Scott’s steady presence in our shop allows us to refurbish more bikes for the community. Because of his commitment to our mission, we have also exponentially increased the number of ongoing repairs offered, which keeps people’s bikes in safe working order. Board President Jason Perry adds, “This is an enormous step ahead for our organization, one that is going to bring a lot of positive changes. Scott has stepped up into a leadership role over the last couple of years, but now it is official.”
Scott has already begun to plan for his full-time role. Immediately, he will focus on improving existing programs. “The shop will continue to fill bike requests from our service partners. Hopefully, with an even faster turnaround. We also will continue our interactions and knowledge sharing with a broad range of community partners, like the Chamber of Commerce and the Athens Area Homeless Coalition.” Scott will also strive to better support “walk-in clients and people whose lives we improve regardless of how they came to us. Often we take items donated by one person, and use them to make a big difference in another person’s life. I see the people we help in our shop as much as I see them around town. With expanded and regular open hours, we can meet the demand for our services.”
BikeAthens believes affordable, accessible transportation is a critical component of social and economic mobility. Hiring a full-time program director to keep the shop open full-time will greatly improve our efforts to repair bikes for people who need them, increasing access and mobility for more Athenians.
