University of Iowa Considers Campus Bike Share

When will the University of Delaware get on board?
 
By Vanessa Miller -- Pretty soon, University of Iowa campus commuters might not need to own a bike to use one for quick trips to class, work or anywhere else they want to go.

The university, through its Office of Sustainability, applied in October for a $96,000 grant to implement a “third generation bike share program.” The money would help fund a $120,000 initiative to set up three bike rental stations across campus.

The stations – proposed near eastside student residential housing, by Seamans Center in the central campus area, and by an entrance to the pedestrian mall – each would house 15 docks and 10 bicycles, according to the grant application.

Users could buy annual memberships or swipe credit cards to rent the shared bikes, which officials propose making available by Oct. 30, 2014. B-cycle, a bike sharing system that has launched programs in Des Moines, Madison, Denver and other communities, is among the vendors that could apply to implement the UI program.  [Full story in The Gazette ....]

A Bike Share program in Williamsport, PA. This station operates from the Genetti Hotel.

The Pottstown, PA Community Bike Share operates out of a local bike shop.

Late last Summer, the Blue Hen Leadership Program gave a presentation on bike sharing for the University of Delaware. As could be expected, several malcontents were also present, providing a negative opinion on the idea. There has been no further updates that we know of. Meanwhile, growth of bike share systems in other U.S. cities continues to sore.