Bikes-for-cars for grad students
New green initiative gives 35 bikes in exchange for parking spots in hopes of cutting costs, congestions, carbon emissions
Jaclyn Youngblood
Issue date: 3/27/09 Section: News
The Giant Boulder-brand bikes were purchased at Bicycle World and Fitness and usually retail for $735. However, Mustafa said the university received a discount on the bikes from the store. The Giant Boulder brand was chosen for its adherence to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design specifications.
"[Giant Boulder] has an environmental program that supports the LEED-certification specifications," Mustafa said.
Once the students receive the bikes, they are theirs to keep, Mustafa said.
To ensure security of the bicycles, students will be able to park and lock them in a storage facility in the building that has approximately 130 bicycle parking spots.
Mustafa said that if prospective residents show interest in obtaining bicycles in the future, accommodations will be made to ensure the program continues.
Ditman said there are no current plans to bring this project to the other graduate housing areas, such as the apartments on Bissonnet. However, he said it could be considered in the future.
"As the university goes in a more sustainable direction, [the program] would be a benefit," Ditman said. "To see Rice getting a little more [sustainably] oriented ... is a great thing."
All 33 bikes have already been claimed by graduate students. Mustafa said the students are very excited and happy that the initiative is available to them.
"We actually gave bike lessons to one student who doesn't know how to drive a car or ride a bike," Mustafa said.
"[Giant Boulder] has an environmental program that supports the LEED-certification specifications," Mustafa said.
Once the students receive the bikes, they are theirs to keep, Mustafa said.
To ensure security of the bicycles, students will be able to park and lock them in a storage facility in the building that has approximately 130 bicycle parking spots.
Mustafa said that if prospective residents show interest in obtaining bicycles in the future, accommodations will be made to ensure the program continues.
Ditman said there are no current plans to bring this project to the other graduate housing areas, such as the apartments on Bissonnet. However, he said it could be considered in the future.
"As the university goes in a more sustainable direction, [the program] would be a benefit," Ditman said. "To see Rice getting a little more [sustainably] oriented ... is a great thing."
All 33 bikes have already been claimed by graduate students. Mustafa said the students are very excited and happy that the initiative is available to them.
"We actually gave bike lessons to one student who doesn't know how to drive a car or ride a bike," Mustafa said.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Nav211
Navneet
posted 3/27/09 @ 12:55 PM CST
Please get you facts right. The bike costs $350 at Bicycle World.
Marty Merritt
posted 3/27/09 @ 4:58 PM CST
I don't understand. If the idea is to encourage people to not bring the cars they already own to the Grad Apartments, why are they giving away free bicycles? Anyone who can afford a car probably already has a bicycle if they need or want one. (Continued…)
Hertfordshire Builders
posted 1/04/10 @ 7:51 AM CST
I actually don't think that this works well but it is still creative
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