For two years now, I’ve been sharing a little kooky idea to create a fleet of trikes that have the capability to water the newly planted trees, flower beds and planters throughout our neighborhood–using rain water! (see kooky napkin sketch at left).
The necessity of this hit home yesterday as I was driving up Dodge and noticed too many of the new trees look dry and knowing I don’t have an easy way to fix the problem.
We haven’t had much luck getting the Hydro Buffalo idea funded. I thought maybe “if I could just get it started” with a prototype–at least ONE trike, then riding that suped-up trike around could prove to everyone that it’s not just a kooky idea–it’s a GREAT kooky idea! and eventually we’d be able to expand the fleet.

Before you ask–YES, Blue Bike and Riverkeeper are aware of this idea, and we hope our collective audience is excited to help–we’re all in the same boat though. We need one adult trike to get us started! If anyone out there can donate a solid adult trike we can then weld a cart and get this thing rolling.  If you think you can help–please get in touch with Caesandra at volunteer {at} buffaloreuse(.)org or call 716-885-4131

Here’s the other part of the proposal if you are “People who know People”

HYDRO BUFFALOs
The HYDRO BUFFALOs are a fleet of bicycles equipped with 55gallon Rain Barrel Tanks. The team of bicyclists will ride out each week and water our newly planted urban trees and greenspaces throughout Buffalo. We envision trikes, tandems, and carts affixed with rain barrels and powered by leg-power. This effort is a collaboration between several local non-profits: Buffalo ReUse, Re-Tree WNY, Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper and Buffalo Blue Bicycle, as well as many engineering students from the University of Buffalo–everyone contributes in varied and valuable ways.
The HYDRO BUFFALOs address important environmental and social issues such as storm-water diversion, neighborhood beautification, cleaner urban air, and reducing our carbon footprint. All the water for the HYDRO BUFFALOs is harvested in our 1,600 gallon water storage tank; the rain water collects from the roof of our building, The ReSource, and prevents it from entering our City’s sewer system and Lake Erie.

In our Masten/Cold Springs neighborhood alone, Buffalo ReUse has planted over 1,000 curbside trees. Re-Tree WNY has planted over 13,000 trees since its inception in 2006. It is crucial to supply these trees, as well as, the surrounding community gardens on Buffalo’s east side, with adequate water. Our network of volunteers will ride the HYDRO BUFFALOs around town watering and demonstrating how easy and plentiful rainwater is to use.
Naturally, we plan on outfitting the water tanks, trikes and bike helmets with horns and fur and, maybe hooves. We believe this will also stimulate interest and encourage discussion about the greater issues effecting our community while demonstrating a viable solution many cities can replicate.

Budget: (multiply x5)
Tricycles – $250-$400
Tandems – $265, $290
Bike Hitch – $35
Cargo Trailer – $100
Rain Barrels – $90
16K gallon tank- free
TOTAL: $4575