Save on gas, rent a bike
Erin McCarthy
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: News
It happens every year: students bring their bikes to the dorms, let them sit for a year, and then have to figure out how to get them back home.
This year, however, the Physical Plant will be collecting bike donations to use in a bike share pilot program for the fall semester. The program, which is being implemented by the Transportation Subcommittee of the Western Illinois University Campus Sustainability Committee, will provide an alternative mode of transportation for students who have not brought a bike to campus.
Charles Darnell, director of the Physical Plant, serves as the co-chair of the Sustainability Committee, and has been working with Peter Cole, associate professor of history, on getting the bike share program up and running.
"I thought it was an interesting project and would not be too difficult to pilot test this fall semester," Darnell said. "Instead of lugging an unwanted bike home, or just abandoning it, students can fill out a form and come by the Physical Plant and donate it to the program."
According to Darnell, a bike share program on campus will have a positive effect on students.
"Bike share provides an alternative mode of transportation that can be fun, healthy and easier on the environment," Darnell said. "Bike share can also introduce or re-introduce people to the enjoyment of riding a bike."
Cole serves as the chair of the Transportation Subcommittee and intends for the bike share program to get more people on bicycles, out of cars and to enjoy bicycling.
"Bike share programs exist at a number of different universities, and even in cities," Cole said. "We want to basically start a pilot program in the fall with ideally 20 bicycles, and these bikes will all be identifiable by a common paint job - perhaps Rocky colors - where students who are enrolled in WIU will be able to check out these bikes."
In order to check out a bike, students will have to sign a waiver releasing the university of liability. Students will be able to pick up a bike at one or several locations on campus, use them for anywhere between 24 to 72 hours and return them. Although students cannot keep the bikes for the entire semester, they will be able to check them out as many times as necessary.
This year, however, the Physical Plant will be collecting bike donations to use in a bike share pilot program for the fall semester. The program, which is being implemented by the Transportation Subcommittee of the Western Illinois University Campus Sustainability Committee, will provide an alternative mode of transportation for students who have not brought a bike to campus.
Charles Darnell, director of the Physical Plant, serves as the co-chair of the Sustainability Committee, and has been working with Peter Cole, associate professor of history, on getting the bike share program up and running.
"I thought it was an interesting project and would not be too difficult to pilot test this fall semester," Darnell said. "Instead of lugging an unwanted bike home, or just abandoning it, students can fill out a form and come by the Physical Plant and donate it to the program."
According to Darnell, a bike share program on campus will have a positive effect on students.
"Bike share provides an alternative mode of transportation that can be fun, healthy and easier on the environment," Darnell said. "Bike share can also introduce or re-introduce people to the enjoyment of riding a bike."
Cole serves as the chair of the Transportation Subcommittee and intends for the bike share program to get more people on bicycles, out of cars and to enjoy bicycling.
"Bike share programs exist at a number of different universities, and even in cities," Cole said. "We want to basically start a pilot program in the fall with ideally 20 bicycles, and these bikes will all be identifiable by a common paint job - perhaps Rocky colors - where students who are enrolled in WIU will be able to check out these bikes."
In order to check out a bike, students will have to sign a waiver releasing the university of liability. Students will be able to pick up a bike at one or several locations on campus, use them for anywhere between 24 to 72 hours and return them. Although students cannot keep the bikes for the entire semester, they will be able to check them out as many times as necessary.
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