The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill has launched a bike-sharing program on its campus.
The university says that the program, Tar Heel Bikes, began this week. It has a goal of providing affordable, environmentally friendly transportation across the Chapel Hill campus.
One hundred bikes are available to be checked out from 18 bike racks dispersed throughout the campus.
“We are excited to launch this innovative program, which is a fast and healthy alternative for short distance trips across campus,” says Cheryl Stout, director of transportation and parking.
Chancellor Carol L. Folt announced the program last month during Three Zeros Day, which celebrates the university’s efforts to reduce environmental impact. The goals are zero waste to landfills, net zero water usage and net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
The program eliminates the need for students and employees to haul their bikes back and forth to campus and find a secure place to park them once they do.
Customers may reserve bikes by downloading an app to their phones or paying online at the Tar Heel Bikes website. Bikes may be parked at bike racks or Tar Heel Bikes hub stations. Those who register for the daily plan pay no membership fee and may ride one hour per day free. Lifestyle plan participants pay a $30 annual fee and get two hours per day free.
Gotcha Bike, which is providing the bicycles, has bike share programs at 30 college, residential and corporate campuses across the United States. All of the bikes are equipped with GPS locators and will be redistributed to locations across campus to ensure there are bikes at each rack.
MORE: YouTube video from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill:
