October 18, 2005 Source: University of Calgary:
http://www.ucalgary.ca/news/oct05/U-bike.html U of C gearing up for "U-Bike" program Free campus-wide bicycle program
takes recycling and sustainability to a new level The University of Calgary’s Transportation Action Group has come up with an innovative, and environmentally friendly, solution to a growing problem. "There’s been an influx in the number of abandoned bikes on campus," says Hans Luu, the U of C’s Environmental Management Coordinator. "We didn’t want to throw them away, so instead of leaving the bikes in a heap to rust, we came up with the U-Bike concept." "U-Bike" is a free campus-wide bicycle program. Ten abandoned bikes have been fixed up, converted to single speed, painted bright yellow and red in a distinctive striped pattern, and equipped with baskets. Beginning today, the bikes will be distributed in various locations throughout the U of C campus for faculty, staff and students to use. "The idea is simple. If someone needs to use a bike they just take it out of the rack, ride it to where they’re going, and then leave it for the next person." While the "U-Bike" program is unique, the concept isn’t new. The community bicycle movement began in the Netherlands in 1968 and is only recently gaining popularity in North America. Although there are many different forms of public bike programs all promote public transportation at the individual level. Ryan Probert, manager of The Bike Shop, says his company has been advocating the use of bicycles as individual transportation for years. The Bike Shop is supporting "U-Bike" by providing baskets for all the bikes. "It’s important to get the message out, to promote the use of bicycles as a mode of transportation. It’s good for your health, and it’s good for the environment." "U-Bike" is part of the university’s Sustainability Initiative. Luu says it’s designed to help promote awareness of environmentally-friendly transportation alternatives, along with health and wellness. "Given the transportation problem that has arisen in Calgary it’s important that we, as a premier learning institution, take the lead in exploring transportation alternatives that are not only good for our health, but are also good for the environment so that we won’t tax an already stressed out infrastructure." Media Availability: Hans Luu, Environmental Management Coordinator, University of Calgary;
Kelly Hutton, Operations Manager General Services, Campus Infrastructure;
Rhiannon Herbert, Student;
Jacqui Thompson, Student;
Ryan Probert, Manager, The Bike Shop
will be available for media interviews and photo opportunities at the bike racks in front of the Kinesiology Complex at the U of C today from 10 am until 11 am. For more information: Contact Janna Klemen, Media Relations Advisor 220-4756, jklemen@ucalgary.ca __________ Janna Klemen
Media Relations Advisor
University of Calgary, External Communications
Phone: 403-220-4756
Fax: 403-282-8413
jklemen@ucalgary.ca
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