Author: Alyssa Virker|Julia Armbrust
The Bike Share program, which has been one of the Sustainability Fund’s fastest-growing investments, installed a new repair unit this year with the help of the Sustainability Fund. The free on-campus bike share program provides a sustainable means of transportation on campus and has been increasing in capacity in the last few years
The expansion of the program has been made possible by the funding from the Sustainability Fund. Each term, every student contributes $10 towards the required ASOC Renewable Energy and Sustainability Fund, separate from other student fees, which creates a pool of about $20,000 available for students and faculty to use of towards any projects that aims to be environmentally friendly. The Bike Share program is one of these initiatives, along with other projects such as the Food, Energy And Sustainability Team (F.E.A.S.T.), a student-run organic garden, that has taken advantage of the Sustainability Fund.
Currently, The Bike Share program is working on installing permanent and more reliable bike racks by the Bike Cage. The new racks would be in place of current parking spaces. In the past, an administrative regulation prevented the Bike Share from installing bike racks in the Rangeview parking garage, said UEP major, Jack Moreau (senior). This regulation was recently lifted, and the Bike Share plans to take full advantage of the opportunity to make the campus more bike friendly.
With expansion goals like the new bike racks, Occidental’s Bike Share program has dramatically evolved in recent years, largely led Moreau. Having worked at the Bike Share for three years, Moreau has the most seniority out of all of the Bike Share staff. When he started working at the bike cage, he did not have an extensive knowledge of bike mechanics, so he started out in program development.
Bikes were checked out from the library and for longer periods of time when Moreau first started working at the Bike Share three years ago. Since then, the Bike Share has evolved to operate solely from the Rangeview garage. One of Moreau’s first tasks was to expand the Bike Cage’s space. Ultimately, he succeeded, doubling the area to what it is today. The program has also recently purchased 20 orange bikes, a move that not only increases the number of students affected by Bike Share, but also makes the program more visible. These bikes are currently available for weekly rentals.
“On any given week there are twenty more people biking on campus,” UEP major and Bike Share worker Charles Deffarges (sophomore) said. Deffarges added that the Bike Share program facilitates an accessible biking culture at Occidental.
The Bike Share staff also specializes in mechanics and helps students utilize bikes as a sustainable means of transportation. According to Moreau, the program reduces the amount of cars on the road and therefore pollution. It increases health, community and is good for local businesses.
“Biking is an interest that people share. It’s a hobby and sustainable means of transportation,” said Moreau.
Students interested in renting a bike can visit the Bike Cage located in the southwest corner of the Rangeview parking garage on Tuesdays and Fridays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. No membership is required, but renters must fill out two forms which covers liability and safety issues. Bike rentals are done by the week and are free of cost as long as the bikes are not damaged to a point beyond repair.
The programs also has paid positions available to work various shifts and jobs for interested students regardless of experience. Students can contact bikes@oxy.edu for more information.
This article has been archived, for more requests please contact us via the support system.
