The Ohio State University
IN-4: Innovation 4

Ohio State launched a full-scale bike share program in September 2015 that sought to provide a safe and sustainable alternative transportation option for both the campus population and surrounding community. The program currently offers 115 bicycles distributed across 15 campus locations and boasts one of the more diverse inventories of bicycle options available at any collegiate bike share program in the country to date. In addition to the 100 cruiser-style bikes in the inventory the program innovatively offers more than 15 alternatively-styled bikes such as side-by-side tandems, hand-cycles, heavy duty and three-wheeled cargo style models designed to be both ADA-friendly and accessible to the largest contingent of members possible. Apart from incorporating an innovative menu of bicycle options the university worked extensively with a diverse stakeholder group of campus planners, project managers, faculty members, student organizations, and representatives of Student Government to develop a high-quality program that not only demonstrates the university’s commitment to environmental consciousness and sustainability, but one that will also integrate well with other modes of transportation, reduce roadway congestion and harmful vehicle emissions, while encouraging healthy lifestyle choices. In an urban campus environment bicycles often provide a faster, cheaper, and more economical way to get around than driving a single occupancy vehicle and the bike share program will help to support the university’s ‘Park Once’ philosophy of reducing inter-campus vehicle trips thereby improving the efficiency of the campus transportation system. Affordability is one of the most important issues driving program success, so the university leveraged its purchasing power so as to include a sizable membership discount for university students. Bolstered by high levels of excitement and early program success of more than 500 active members and utilization above the industry benchmark of 1 ride per bike per day, the university has developed program expansion plans which seek to add an additional 100 bikes to the fleet over the next couple of years.