UofL forges path to change how students commute

On her first day of class this semester, University of Louisville senior Megan Fell agreed to give up her right to drive a car to school. In return, Fell was handed a $400 voucher toward the purchase of a bicycle to use to commute to class.

"Congratulations, you have just given yourself a $9,000 a year raise," Justin Mog said to Fell and roughly 50 students, faculty and staff last week. The hefty raise, Mog said, is an estimate of what it costs to insure, maintain, fuel and park a car each year.

Saving money may be one incentive for riding a bicycle instead of driving a car, but reducing campus pollution, avoiding traffic and parking congestion and engaging in a healthy habit are other reasons U of L's Earn-A-Bike Program is growing in popularity and receiving national recognition.

In existence since the fall of 2012, the program provides participating students, faculty and staff with a $400 voucher they can use toward the purchase of a bicycle (or bicycle repairs), helmet, lock and other equipment necessary for bicycle commuting.

U of L piloted the Earn-A-Bike program that is now being mimicked at campuses across the country, including the University of Kentucky, which implemented a similar program in 2015.

"Honestly, there were probably some free bike programs at other small schools before we got started, but this was truly an innovative, home-grown idea that we came up with at U of L," said Mog, assistant to the Provost for Sustainability Initiatives and who oversees the Earn-A-Bike Program.

Program sustainability 

In October 2014, U of L won the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education Award for Best Case Study from a four-year or graduate institution with more than 10,000 full-time students for its Earn-A-Bike Program.

UK made note of U of L's success and implemented its own pilot bicycle voucher program. The program was a hit and UK renewed it for 2016.

"We love it when other schools 'steal' ideas like this from us," Mog said, "but we also encourage them to think about what kind of program would work best in their own community. That kind of locally-tailored solution is what true sustainability is all about."

For instance, Michigan State University offers campus bike rentals spanning from one week to an entire semester. All rented bikes can be repaired at no charge.

Stanford University has 12 miles of bike lanes on campus and more than 18,000 bike parking spaces. Students can rent one of 300 bike lockers or 100 clothing lockers for convenient riding and changing between classes. And students at Portland State University interested in improving their riding skills can take a four-credit class with a certified League of American Bicyclists instructor.

At U of L, funding for the vouchers comes out of the university's base budget and is the largest line-item in the school's $182,000 per-year Climate Action Plan, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent between 2010 and 2020, 40 percent between 2021 and 2030, and 100 percent by 2050.

"Our plan for making progress toward climate neutrality is dynamic and multifaceted. ... We propose taking a variety of steps to lead U of L down a path toward climate neutrality with a focus on the following initiatives: green purchasing; energy conservation and efficiency; renewable energy; carbon sequestration; master planning; green building design; composting and horticultural practices; behavior change; recycling; transportation; food; and carbon offsets," the report states.

Mog said the Earn-A-Bike Program costs U of L roughly $160,000 a year.

During the first four years of the program, 1,550 vouchers were distributed and Mog expects to hand out another 380 this year.

The program, Mog said, has been a success and is helping the university reach its climate change goal by reducing the pollution associated with campus travel, increasing the health and wellness within the U of L community, and reducing traffic congestion.

A bicycle culture

Before picking up her bike voucher, Fell took part in a mandatory 60-minute bicycle safety class on campus. She plans to commute from her home – about two miles from campus – and also bike to her job in downtown Louisville.

One of the few requirements to take part in Earn-A-Bike is attendance at one of the program's information sessions. Participants get advice on finding the best routes from home to campus, important safety tips – like riding with the flow of traffic – and practical advice for commuting, such as always use a heavy duty lock when you aren't riding your bike.

"You'll want to be sure you have some type of lights on your bike because you never know when you'll end up riding home in the dark," Sarah Traughber, an instructor with the Earn-A-Bike Program, said to the class.

Fell and the other participants in this year's Earn-A-Bike Program have until mid-November to head to one of the local bike shops taking part in the program to pick out a bicycle.

"We just ordered 20 new bikes to keep up with everyone who is coming in," said Derek Fetko, co-owner of On Your Left Cycles located in the Irish/Phoenix Hill neighborhoods. "This voucher program has been huge for sales."

During the fall months, when bicycle purchases typically drop off, shops point to the Earn-A-Bike Program as a boost to local business.

"This program is huge for our business. I'd say we've seen about 30 people so far come by with the bike vouchers," said Jef Myers, co-owner of Parkside, 1377 Bardstown Road and 2509 Grinstead Drive. Most riders are new to commuting by bicycle and will purchase accessories like locks, helmets and bike lights.

U of L isn't the only agency becoming more bike friendly. Bicycle advocates point to the $300,000 Mayor Greg Fischer's administration designated in 2014 to improve Louisville's urban bike network. More bike paths and street improvements, along with innovative programs like U of L bike vouchers, are important steps toward creating a bike friendly environment for Fell and others who choose a bicycle as their primary mode of transportation.

Although applications for the 2016 program are closed, if you attend U of L and would like to apply next summer, visit louisville.edu/sustainability/operations/earn-a-bike-program.

Reach Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com or (502) 582-4336.

The goals of U of L's Earn-Bike Program include:

►Reducing the vehicle miles traveled to campus (and associated pollution)

► Reducing the number of vehicles that must be parked on and around campus

► Increasing health and activity levels within the U of L community

► Saving money you would otherwise spend on gas, parking and other automobile expenses

► Reducing traffic congestion

► Rewarding individuals for not driving to campus