A new program offered by Transportation Services and the UO Bike Program is giving students, faculty members and staff a chance to try out an e-bike for their daily commutes.
The E-Bike Lending Library program provides a free, two-week rental of an e-bike that can be used for commuting as well other transportation needs such as errands, shopping and recreation. No prior e-bike experience is required to participate.
“All of the bikes in the program were selected with an eye towards participants without prior experience on an e-bike,” said Josh Kashinsky, the active transportation coordinator for the UO.
The program offers four styles of e-bikes with standard equipment. Helmets are available for all participants who do not have their own. Many e-bike models have been tested out at Eugene Electric Bicycles on River Road, and the four selected were chosen for being beginner-friendly.
“Along with Outdoor Program Assistant Director Sam Stroich, Logan Devack helped test ride and identify the appropriate bikes for inclusion in the program and has taken a leadership role in designing and leading the orientations and performing maintenance and safety checks before and after each rental,” Kashinsky said.
Devack leads the orientations and helps participants get accustomed to the e-bike.
After participants have signed up and an e-bike becomes available, they are required to attend a short orientation that covers the basic of e-bike operation including the power assist, lights and throttle for applicable models. Program staff also will adjust the bike to fit the participant and the participant can practice riding the e-bike.
Kashinsky developed the program after he was inspired by a presentation at a quarterly Transportation Options Group of Oregon meeting. Alongside colleagues from the city of Eugene and the Lane Council of Governments, Kashinsky hoped to find a way to bring a similar program to the UO.
With support from the UO Bike Program, Kashinsky developed a grant proposal that was accepted by the Eugene Water and Electric Board as part of its Electric Mobility Grant program.
“The program is a way to reduce travel barriers and encourage the campus community to try new, sustainable travel options,” said David Reesor, director of Transportation Services. “We continue to be pleased with the popularity of the program and are eager to see it potentially expand in the years to come.”
The program also is collaborating with UO researchers Anne Brown, Marc Schlossberg and Thomas Gotschi to understand peoples’ experiences participating in the UO E-Bike Lending Library. Interested participants can join the study to help program managers understand how the e-bike was used, people’s perceptions of using an e-bike, and future interest in e-bikes.
For more information about the program and to sign up to participate, visit the Transportation Services website.
—By Kara Mcghee, University Communications
—Top photo: Members of the UO community show off different e-bike models used in the lending library program.