September 12: Bike-Share Systems to Get From Point to Point

The essence of bike-share is simple: anyone can pick up a bike in one place and return it to another. Bike-share programs have been emerging and growing rapidly throughout the world in recent years, and more than 600 cities now have their own bike-share systems, (source: Bike-Share Planning Guide, ITDP, 2013).

Bike-share systems may offer different locations to pick-up and to return a bike. This introduces a flexible transportation option for local trips. For example, you can drive to work and bike to lunch on the same day. Not having to return the bike to its original location may simplify travel and increase independence in many cases where you might otherwise need to ask for a ride. You can fluidly diverge and connect with people, leave one vehicle here, and make use of transit or carpooling opportunities to get there - all without the worry of being stuck somewhere without access to a vehicle. A bike-share system can be as useful to tourists and visitors as it is to local residents.

Jean Rosekrans and Carol Davis will share their experiences working to develop the River Riders Bike Share program that is forming in Wisconsin Rapids this year with a broad base of community support and partners. We'll also talk about other new developments and opportunities in this region, as well as characteristics of different bike-share systems and how they work.

August 22: Co-Housing - What is it and how does it benefit a community?

Co-housing is a form of intentional community that was imported to the U.S. from Denmark in the late 80s. Co-housing provides the privacy to which we are accustomed and the community we seek. Co-housing typically (1) includes a common house for community activities and shared meals, (2) is pedestrian friendly, (3) is designed, managed and maintained by residents, (4) is governed by residents using a refined consensus decision making process, and (5) is much, much more. Participants will learn what co-housing is and may want to become a part of initial efforts to create a co-housing community in Stevens Point.

Mary Maller and Lois Lawler will lead this informal and informative discussion on co-housing. They have visited and researched several existing co-housing units around the U.S.