The Chronicle

Issue date: 8/27/07 Section: News
Last update: 8/27/07 at 7:32 AM EST

Media Credit: SARA GUERRERO The Duke Bikes initiative has purchased bicycles for students to borrow on a five-day loan for use around campus. The bikes, along with tents and backpacks will be available from the Outpost, located under the West Campus Plaza.

Duke Bikes, a new initiative to promote health and community, is now peddling bicycles below the West Campus Plaza in hopes that students might ride to class instead of drive.

The pilot program, which partnered with Campus Services, the Office of Student Affairs, the provost's office and the executive vice president's office, describes its efforts as part of a broader plan to provide "no-cost options for exercise, adventure and campus commuting."

It also links to more long-range goals to improve campus culture by promoting sustainability and health.

"It's related to [the Campus Culture Initiative] by virtue of its community-building angle, and I have high hopes for its contribution to the student experience," Larry Moneta, vice president for student affairs, wrote in an e-mail Sunday.

The CCI report, released in February, prompted discussions on how to enact tangible enhancement of the student experience, and Duke Bikes is one of several programs planned for the fall related to the recommendations. It was inspired by Provost Peter Lange, who had seen community biking groups in Europe and thought a similar program would help promote a cycling culture on campus, Moneta added.

"Biking is healthier, better for the environment and community building, with fewer people 'encapsulated' in cars," he said.

The fleet-located in the new adventure Outpost, which also will loan tents and backpacks-will be free for all Duke undergraduate, graduate and professional students with their DukeCards. The program may be expanded to include faculty and staff in the future.

Borrowers must return the 1-speed and 3-speed Trek Cruisers after five days to avoid incurring fines of $10 per day.

"I think it would be extremely helpful, but if I'm responsible if it gets stolen then I might hesitate to use the program," freshman Kirby Erlandson said.

Some students acknowledged that cycling is not a popular means of transportation on campus, but added that the loan program could help ease other commuting problems, including parking.

"There are a lot of classes you can't get to by car, and parking can be difficult sometimes," said Troy Swimmer, a second-year graduate student in biomedical engineering. "Personally, I wouldn't rent one because I walk a lot, but I could see how it would help other people."

Moneta added that one feature of the program was that the implementation costs were low relative to its potential.

"I have no statistical expectations-one rider is one more than we might have had and over time I hope we'll see many cyclists traversing the campus and the near environs," he said.

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