RSSSat 26 Sep 2009
Gearing up for Bike Sharing: University of Denver launches a student-run Bike Library!
Posted by Piep under News[2] Comments
(Credit Denver Post – Annette Espinoza: 303-954-1655 or aespinoza@denverpost.com ) 
A student-run bike library at the University of Denver opened Thursday, seven months ahead of the Denver bike-sharing initiative that inspired it.
Nearly two years ago, DU students, intrigued by Denver Bike Share’s plan to build kiosks across the city and lend two-wheelers to anyone who wants to ride, decided they’d like to have a bike library on campus.
So they launched a student campaign and eventually partnered with the city of Denver and Denver Bike Share to build the DU Bike Library.
Thursday afternoon, Joshua Jackson Robinson rolled around the campus on one of the 20 bikes now available for students and faculty to use for free.
“It’s going to help make Denver more environmentally friendly, and I’ll get an extra 15 minutes of sleep,” joked Robinson, a DU senior who checked out the pearl-white bike between classes.
On Thursday, more than 70 DU students gathered outside of Nagel Hall to learn about the bike library and watch DU provost Gregg Kvistad take a spin.
“Student activism produces results, and we try not to put roadblocks on positive things,” Kvistad said.
The DU Bike Library also gives a glimpse of what Denver Bike Share’s program might look like when it launches next year on Earth Day, with 600 bicycles available for rent at 50 kiosks throughout the city.
Riders will be able to rent the bikes in 30-minute increments, although the first half-hour is free. Yearly memberships will be available. A three-hour ride will cost $14.
“We encourage short-term use,” said Parry Burnap, director of the Denver Bike Initiative.
The city’s bike-sharing program also will have online components, allowing riders to track their mileage, get carbon-emission reduction information and count the number of calories burned on each ride.
“Denver’s got a really healthy population. It’s sunny, flat and easy to navigate,” Burnap said. “It’s perfect for getting around on a bike.”
Annette Espinoza: 303-954-1655 or aespinoza@denverpost.com
How it works
The DU Bike Library has 10 bikes parked at each of two kiosks near Nagel and Centennial residence halls.
The bikes can be checked out for free until 7 p.m. daily to students and faculty who show a valid DU ID card.
The bikes have built-in locks with keys and sturdy metal baskets that can hold up to 25 pounds.
Red brake lights are solar-powered, and bicycle helmets will be offered to riders.
I’m confused about this. This sounds like a students/faculty only program. But DU is supposed to be getting b-cycle kiosks anyway according to the city plan.
Do you think they’re going to get extra kiosks by Earth Day, in addition to these ones; or do you reckon that this is it for them?
Hi CB, the DU bike library, in its current form, is DU community only. But it’s a way to test out all he “moving parts” to what will become the citywide program. Once the citywide program is launched, DU will get the same b-cycle hubs and become part of the city system, and the bike library will go away … this is a way to put real people on the bikes, see if there are any problems, before it goes live with 600 bikes all over Denver! So DU will be getting the regular kiosks when the city program goes up.