Sharing is caring!  Public bike systems are becoming hugely popular around the world and as an on-campus commuter concerned about climate change, this is a trend I can get behind.

These systems basically allow people to rent bikes at stations around the neighborhood or city for a small deposit or a membership.  Unlike your typical bike rental, these systems are usually free community bicycle programs started by nonprofit community groups or public-private agencies.  Bike sharing programs have been established in Europe since the turn of the century (those Europeans are always ahead of us…) and they’re steadily spreading across the United States.

Denver’s B-Cycle program or New York’s Buffalo Blue Bicycle are just a couple of programs implemented into our big cities.  Generally, all that’s required is either a small membership fee or volunteering your time in order to take these bikes out for a spin.  Not only do these bike sharing programs encourage public transportation, but they also provide a sense of community.

At first it may seem a bit risky to leave a bunch of bikes out for the public to use.  Will the bikes be returned?  Will they get stolen?  What about the possibility of graffiti or bicycle abuse?  Many of the neighborhoods that have implemented the bike sharing program are pleasantly surprised.  Not only is participation and membership in these programs rising, but there are only a few incidents of stolen or broken bikes.  It gives us hope for the betterment of our neighborhoods – fewer cars clogging up our city streets and a reduction of our carbon footprint.  Let’s give bikes a chance, and encourage alternative transportation one pedal at a time.