Green Bike pilot program offers alternative
PULLMAN – A pilot project titled the Green Bike has been launched on the WSU Pullman campus. The goal is to reduce the university’s ecological footprint by offering an alternative to automobile transportation.The project is a collaborative effort, including University Recreation; Alcohol and Drug Counseling, Assessment and Prevention Services; and the Center for Civic Engagement.
As a pilot project, Green Bike has a limited number of bicycles on hand — seven to be exact. As a result they may only be checked out by staff members OR student staff members at University Recreation, Compton Union Building, Counseling Center and the Center for Civic Engagement.
For now, bikes have to be signed out at the desk of one of the above locations.
Jamie Bentley, environmental wellbeing coordinator, said if the program proves successful this year, funding for expansion will be sought via student and activities fees, grants and other organizations.
Additional funding, Bentley said, would allow Green Bike to do such things as purchase additional bikes; introduce an easy Cougar Card swipe checkout system located at the bike rack; introduce a 24-hour checkout period; increase the number of checkout points/bike racks, etc.
A card swipe system would unlock a bike in the rack, allowing the participant to pedal away. When returned to a Green Bike rack, it would automatically be locked and checked back in.
Numerous colleges, universities and municipalities already have well-developed shared-bike programs, which WSU is using as models.
“If the program takes off,” said Josh Gile, a civil engineering undergraduate who manages the maintenance of the bikes, “I think it will increase awareness of bicycling as a viable form of transportation. Right now, the infrastructure for biking just doesn’t exist in the community. Hopefully this project will succeed and drive the development of such an infrastructure.”
“Not only does cycling keep riders fit, it’s also better for the environment. More foot and cycle traffic equals less automobile traffic.” Gile said.
For more information on the Green Bike program, contact Jamie Bentley, environmental wellbeing coordinator, 335-0106 or jbentley@wsu.edu.
For information on other shared-bike programs see:
Univesity of Washington (electric bikes)
