Sustainability proponents at Iowa's three public universities have
been working for years to develop programs that allow people to rent a
bike at one area of campus and drop it off at another.
It appears,
however, that a grant from the Iowa Department of Transportation will
help the University of Iowa win the race to transform a bike-share
proposal into actual gears, pedals and locking docks.
The Iowa
City area already has a long-term bicycle rental program in Iowa City
Bike Library, as well as rental options primarily for recreational
cycling, such as through UI's Touch the Earth Outdoor Rental Center and
local bike shops. And last fall, UI became the first university in the
state to earn the Bicycle Friendly University designation from the
League of American Bicyclists.
The new program would be geared
toward short-term rentals, primarily one hour or less, for commuting
through the campus and downtown areas.
"It fills a niche that is
not being served right now," said Liz Christiansen, the director of the
UI Office of Sustainability. "We know Iowa City has a strong bike
culture. We know that the program will be used and supported. We hope
that this is only the first phase, so that as many people as possible
have access to a bike."
UI learned in mid-January that the Iowa
Department of Transportation approved its application for a $135,300
grant to begin a program on campus. The UI group also has received
commitment for funding from several local groups.
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