James Warren builds bus benches out of recycled materials for the Denver Metro Area, and he just hosted his first Bench Bulling Workshop in our Community Workshop on 1/31! His group completed two benches that will allow people to take a load off while waiting for the bus.
“He saw a woman sitting in the dirt at a bus stop. So he began making benches.” -The Washington Post
James Warren is a mobility advocate in Denver who recognized one of the big issues with the transit system in the city: lack of bus stop amenities. Whether it be cover, trash disposal, or seating, bus stop amenities are crucial to the health and wellbeing of those who ride, as well as to making public transit a dignified experience. To that end, he's created benches for bus stops around the city, made from recycled materials, and is hosting the Be Kind Bench workshop to both teach the basics of woodworking as well as create new public amenities. Outfitting bus stops with benches will create a better public transit experience and shines a spotlight on where the city is failing, making this both a practical workshop and an act of advocacy.
James has been featured in the Washington Post and the Drew Barrymore Show. You can follow him on Instagram @J_M_Warren
Unfortunately, there are no Be Kind Bench Workshop scheduled at the moment, but if you’re interested in potential future workshops, you can reach out to James.