The Bearcat Bike Share is a student-led initiative to provide free bicycles to anyone with a UCid. A bike share works like a library and riders can check out the bikes to use on or off campus. Free bikes at UC will increase health, wellness and community, while decreasing carbon emissions, traffic and parking issues. The Bearcat Bike Share is one part of the UC Bike Plan, published in December 2009, which includes many recommendations for increasing bicycle use at UC in order to create a more healthy and sustainable campus environment. The first phase of the program will be on UC’s Uptown East and West campuses. An online survey will help create a better program and those who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing for lots of prizes including a bike!
The Bearcat Bike Share program is set to debut on Earth Day (April 22, 2010) and we must meet our fund-raising goal of $12,500 by March 31. Fund-raising efforts for the Bearcat Bike Share program are being lead by the Student Development Council (SDC) and the Student Sustainability Coalition (SSC). The program is being administered by UCsustainability with the support of Campus Recreation. Donations can be made online using a credit card. For other methods of donating, please see below.
Students are driving the process of planning and fundraising for this endeavor. The Student Sustainability Coalition and the Student Development Council are working together to raise funds and solicit donations and participation from local businesses. Student volunteers will maintain and repair the bicycles. Campus Recreation is partnering to provide staff to check out the bikes.
To get this program started, our goal is to raise $12,500 to purchase or acquire 30 bicycles, 3 bike racks and the necessary equipment such as locks, headlights, etc. The Bearcat Bike Share will be launched on Earth Day, April 22. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of the University of Cincinnati. Each bike will be branded with the Bearcat Bike Share logo and could have your organization indicated as the donor.
There are a few ways to make a donation to the Bearcat Bike Share program:
1) Online with a credit card through the UC Foundation's website.
2) By mailing a check or money order to:
The University of Cincinnati Foundation
Attn: Meridy Glenn
P.O. Box 19970
Cincinnati, OH 45219-0970
3) By calling the UC Foundation at 513-556-6788 to use a credit card over the phone.
Please be sure to indicate in your comments or on the check that you’d like the donation to go toward the Bearcat Bike Share and any other designation (College, Department, organization) or person you would like to honor. These donations will count toward the 2010 Proudly Cincinnati Faculty/Staff Campaign.
We also need volunteers and are accepting in-kind donations, such as bicycles (in relatively good condition) or bike parts and equipment. If you are interested in getting more involved or donating materials, please contact Shawn P. Tubb, Sustainability Coordinator, at shawn.tubb@uc.edu.
Thank you so much for your support of the Bearcat Bike Share!
11 years ago
