New Semester Bike Rental Program a Win for Students, Sustainability
The Office of Sustainability and Campus Recreation’s Outdoor Pursuits program partnered to launch semester-long bicycle rentals for student applicants most in need of an independent means of transportation on and around campus. In its first 24 hours, the program received 63 applications, demonstrating the strong demand for affordable and environmentally sustainable transportation solutions.
The program was partially funded by the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Grant awarded to the Office of Sustainability. Fifteen bicycles were purchased for the program, and local vendor Ride Away Bicycles donated an additional three bikes.
Lani May, director of sustainability at UTSA, notes that increasing the number of bicycles on campus is a key component of UTSA’s sustainability strategy. “By increasing bicycles, we hope to reduce single-occupancy vehicles, improve air quality, reduce congestion and make campus more walkable,” said May. She adds that the program “increases UTSA’s sustainability by encouraging the frequency, interest and acceptance of bicycles on campus.”
The strong applicant pool shows that interest in bicycles is alive and well among Roadrunners. “Of the 63 applications we received, 13 were from seniors and 18 were from graduates, showing that bicycles are not just for students right out of high school,” said Todd Grier, assistant director of the Outdoor Pursuits program. “Many of our international students don’t have a driver’s license or access to a vehicle, making bikes their only form of independent travel.”
Outdoor Pursuits provides students who participate in the program with a lock, helmet and bicycle lights and will perform simple maintenance repairs on bikes as needed. Additionally, students received information about various bike safety rules, such as securing bikes, wearing a helmet and the Texas Motor Vehicle Laws for bicyclists.
Applications are closed for spring 2022 but will open again for the summer semester.
