In an effort to protect the environment and promote physical activity, Binghamton University Outdoor Pursuits is offering students a bicycle rental program.
According to Michael Zuber, program coordinator for Campus Recreational Services, the experimental program allows students to rent bikes at a reasonable price for an extended period of time.
To keep the bikes in good condition, Zuber said a checkup is required every two weeks to make any repairs. Locks and helmets are provided with the rentals.
The BOP program makes BU one in a line of schools promoting exercise, green practices and minimized car use on campus by making bikes available to students.
Advertising for the program has been minimal so far, spreading mainly by word of mouth.
“We plan to push advertising forward in the spring semester,” Zuber said. “But so far the feedback from the program has been positive.”
Other college campuses that offer the program include the University of New England at Biddeford, where students receive a free bicycle if they vow to leave their cars at home.
According to Kathleen Taggersell, the director of marketing and communications at UNE at Biddeford, their bike program is part of a larger effort to protect the environment. Taggersell said the campus offers extended shuttle service in addition to zip car rentals.
“These alternatives are available to students if they choose not to ride their bikes during the winter months,” Taggersell said.
Taggersell said implementing the program was a multi-disciplinary effort, with various departments overseeing aspects of the program’s development.
“The program has exceeded expectations so far and has received a positive response from students through the surveys we handed out at orientation,” she said.
Peter Knuepfer, director of the environmental studies program at BU, is supportive of such programs.
“Any alternative to using an automobile for transportation is better for the environment,” Knuepfer said.
Zuber said he believed small additions could be made to the campus to make it more bike-friendly.
“Bikes only need to be dry and secure, so inexpensive sheds for storing bikes would be suitable,” Zuber said.
Knuepfer said he believed there are a few problems for people traveling around campus on bikes, such as the lack of bike lanes on roads.
“Even though bicyclists have the same rights when sharing the road with cars, this isn’t always the case,” he said.
He also said that he thought there were several structural flaws with the University, such as the staircase near the New University Union.
“It’s possible to get around campus on a bike, but areas like that force riders to take a detour,” Knuepfer said.
Zuber said he hoped to slowly expand the program and offer more bikes for students as participation increases.