EUGENE, Ore. (KMTR) - More students and staff will soon be able to go 'green' at the University of Oregon. The Associated Students of the U of O is using about $200,000 to expand its Bike Share program.For the time being, bicycles are rented to students for a full term. Soon, they will be able to use the program on a per-ride basis. Four bicycle stations - or hubs - will be placed around campus. A member of the program will swipe an electronic card to check a bicycle out and return it to any hub in the system.
Program Coordinator Ted Sweeney says one of the benefits is that riders will never have to worry about being victimized by a bike thief.
“Bike theft is a big concern in Eugene,” he says. “Sometimes students don't want to have a bike or are uncomfortable having their bike around because of this bike theft thing. This means they'll have constant access to a reliable bike that they don't have to worry about getting stolen . . . which is huge.”
The exact cost of the program is not yet known. The hubs should be set up on campus next year.
ASUO is also working with Lane Transit District to get a Federal grant to extend the program into downtown Eugene.
