A new bike program for students, faculty and staff has taken off since opening at the beginning of the semester.
All of the bikes have been checked out and campus recreation has created a growing list of students interested in using the bikes. According to Gus Hemmer, the associate director of campus recreation, there were no bikes left on the first day of classes, and there have been daily inquiries about availability.
The bike program had been present in conversations for a few years, but had never been put into action until this past summer.
The total amount for 25 bikes, in addition to helmets and locks, was $7,900. The money came from a reserve from SGA.
“Everyone I’ve talked to, I’ve stopped people on these bikes all the time, and they just think it’s absolutely terrific. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if this will expand in the near future,” says Dr. Tim Pierson, the vice president for student affairs.
The outdoor club was also involved in the planning of the bike program.
“We’re happy to advocate for that [the program] in any way that we can, because we do anything we can to get students outside,” says Eli Spangler, the president of the outdoor club.
When students borrow a bike, they also receive a helmet and lock for the bike. The bikes can be borrowed for up to 30 days. Much like the library, the bikes are due on certain dates and if late, can result in late fees. Students are charged $5 a day for late bikes. Any large damages and lost or stolen bikes are also charged to students.
According to Hemmer, campus recreation would be interested in buying 25 more bikes in the future due to popular demand.
“I could totally see it. And the other thing would be to see if there’s a way to put a rental hub out at Lancer Park, so you can get it either from campus at campus recreation or you can get it from Lancer Park, because we really want to target those students. We have a few of them, a few of our renters are from Lancer Park….we want to get more,” says Hemmer.
Although the bikes are available to faculty and staff as well, Hemmer says that most of the bikes have been borrowed from students, most of which live on campus.
Students are able to take the bikes off campus and around town as well.
“I’ve seen a lot of them out, and every time I talk to somebody, they’re really receptive about it...I just think it’s going to grow,” says Pierson.
According to campus recreation, bicyclists should ride with traffic, instead of against traffic, on the road, and sidewalks should generally be avoided. Although not wearing a helmet is not illegal, campus recreation encourages all bicyclists to wear helmets. They also encourage bicyclists to lock bikes in order to avoid theft and stolen bike fees.
Although bikes are popular and often unavailable, they can be borrowed from campus recreation in the Health and Fitness Center.
