ASNMU has redone its bike share program this summer, expanding from less than 10 repurposed bikes from 18 new bikes from Downwind Sports.
“The bikes are really great,” junior secondary English education and theatre major Kat Klawes, ASNMU president, said. “They have a mid-size tire, so they are designed for riding on road and off road.
“They have lights o
n the front of the bikes and straps on the back for backpacks, so they are very student-friendly and the entirety of the bike is mostly adjustable.”
Students can check out bikes at the Lydia Olsen Library desk for up to three days at no cost, according to Klawes. There is a $3 per day late charge, but bikes can be renewed. The bikes are kept in a special bike rack next to the Learning Resources Center.
The reaction to the new program has been very positive, according to Klawes.
“I have received over 20 emails this summer thanking ASNMU for the great job with the bike share program,” Klawes said. “A lot of faculty and students are very excited. [They] think this program is very worthwhile on campus and it’s one of the better programs ASNMU has done.”
The program has also been very popular on campus, according to Klawes.
“There have been days I would walk past the bike share program, and with the 17 bikes that were currently in use at that time, during most of the week there would be one or two available,” Klawes said. Junior graphic communication major Alex Nekvasil, ASNMU public relations director and up-campus representative, said the program has been running smoothly.
“I think it’s gone fairly well,” Nekvasil said. “From what I hear over our social page, she (Klawes) and Katie (Liubakka) and Vito (Giannola) have been working really hard and it seems to be fruitful.”
Junior illustration major JD Melvin, a public services student assistant at the library, said the program has been very popular.
“I think it’s been very successful,” Melvin said, stating during one hour, he had five people ask for bikes when there none left.
ASNMU has also renewed its contracts for Dozing Discounts, which gives students up to 50 percent off at certain hotels and has also worked to renew a contract with Taco Bell to give students a free taco with their NMU ID.
