New solar-powered checkout system for the Green Bikes on the WSU campus

Another article for your viewing pleasure. Kind of made me want to go for a bike ride...

Green Bikes program teams up with Bixi
By: Kelsey Carrao
The Daily Evergreen

The WSU Green Bike program is starting its second year on campus supplying free bike rentals to WSU students.

Jamie Bentley, University Recreation manager, said the purpose of the bikes is to increase students' physical activity and environmental sustainability. She said the goal is to see fewer cars on the roads to reduce air pollution. The idea for the program began in 2007, she said.

“Students and staff working for University Recreation thought that it would be great to have transportation for meetings," she said. "Bikes would be a great way to get across campus quickly and efficiently.” After the pilot school year, 2008 to 2009, University Recreation staff saw high usage of the bikes and expanded the program. John Nickerson, University Recreation marketing assistant, said the program included 40 bikes last year. He said 32 bikes have been added this year due to student demand.

This year, WSU's Green Bike program is teaming up with BIXI System to create a completely electronic checkout process.

WSU is the first university in the nation to implement the BIXI program on campus. Bentley hopes the electronic system will increase checkout rates this year.

“The BIXI bikes don’t look like every other bike; they stand out," she said. "I believe people will be excited to use an automated system and be willing to try it, because it’s so easy."

Nickerson said he is pleased by the environmental sustainability of the stations.

"Not only is the system really easy to use and efficient, it is all electronically and solar-powered."

More here.