2008 Woodie Awards
Restored bicycle program keeps free bikes on campus
Encouraging alternative transportation for a greener UMaine
Sam Cohen
Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: News
The current renters of the bikes may experience temporary relief from having to find parking on campus, but, according to ReCycle renter and biochemistry graduate student Kara Soule, the effect won't be felt for the rest of the student body unless the program is able to expand significantly.
"I don't know how much it will help due to the fact that there are only eight bikes available right now," she said.
Based on the early demand for the bikes, Parker said an expansion could be ready by the beginning of next year. The size of the expansion is limited by how much time and energy the GCI staff can devote to fixing more old bikes.
"I got 10 e-mails in the first two hours after posting information about the program on Firstclass," he said. "After I got 20 e-mails I unsent the advertisement." Due to the limited number of bikes there is already a long waiting list for people interested in renting.
Renters of the ReCycle bikes are asked to sign a release to the university agreeing that any damage or loss of the bike will result in a fee. Failure to return a bike will cost the renter $100. According to Parker, this is necessary in order to generate a sense of ownership of the bikes.
"It is more effective in keeping the bikes in good condition. The bikes come with locks and you give your MaineCard number so if anything goes wrong, the program will charge you for it," Soule said.
This is different from the Green Bike Program sponsored by the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. The Green Bike Program involved the release of a large number of bikes around campus available for anyone to use. Many of those bikes have since been ill-treated. "I don't think the Green Bike Program provided enough ownership so the bikes got abused," Parker said.
So far, Parker said he is happy with ReCycle. "It's been a big success and I look forward to expanding in the future," he said.
GCI is planning on furthering their efforts by creating workshops to teach students how to fix old bikes.
"I don't know how much it will help due to the fact that there are only eight bikes available right now," she said.
Based on the early demand for the bikes, Parker said an expansion could be ready by the beginning of next year. The size of the expansion is limited by how much time and energy the GCI staff can devote to fixing more old bikes.
"I got 10 e-mails in the first two hours after posting information about the program on Firstclass," he said. "After I got 20 e-mails I unsent the advertisement." Due to the limited number of bikes there is already a long waiting list for people interested in renting.
Renters of the ReCycle bikes are asked to sign a release to the university agreeing that any damage or loss of the bike will result in a fee. Failure to return a bike will cost the renter $100. According to Parker, this is necessary in order to generate a sense of ownership of the bikes.
"It is more effective in keeping the bikes in good condition. The bikes come with locks and you give your MaineCard number so if anything goes wrong, the program will charge you for it," Soule said.
This is different from the Green Bike Program sponsored by the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. The Green Bike Program involved the release of a large number of bikes around campus available for anyone to use. Many of those bikes have since been ill-treated. "I don't think the Green Bike Program provided enough ownership so the bikes got abused," Parker said.
So far, Parker said he is happy with ReCycle. "It's been a big success and I look forward to expanding in the future," he said.
GCI is planning on furthering their efforts by creating workshops to teach students how to fix old bikes.
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