Thompson Rivers University
IN-26: Innovation C

TRU has two innovative programs regarding electric bikes. The first is the free electric bike sharing program. Students, faculty and staff members are welcome to sign out the bikes for free for up to one week once they complete a liability waiver. Helmets and/or locks can also be borrowed for free. Regular fat tire mountain bikes (which even have super fat winter tires) are also available. All bikes can be reserved in advance on a website (https://tru-sustain.libcal.com/reserve/Bikeshare). The other program is the Employee E-Bike Program (EEBP), which launched July 6th, 2018. The intent of the program is to aid employees in purchasing an electric bicycle for commuting to work. The EEBP enables employees of TRU to: a) Access a loan through the TRU Finance Department, payable through payroll deductions b) receive an additional 10% discount as an employee Health and Wellness incentive. c) Take advantage of TRU employees receiving discounts from a list of preferred vendors. Employees can also choose to purchase a bike of their preference from any bicycle supplier. To participate, employees need to stop by the Sustainability Office during office hours (8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday) for more details and to go over the application process and program rules before purchasing a bike (or email mesmith@tru.ca to make an appointment). The program will be capped at 100 participants for 2018. In addition, this year’s participants will receive a smart E-lock with App function for extra security ($175 value). The program will also offer repair clinics as well as safe riding/commuting clinics. Questions about the program can be directed Aaron at awiebe@tru.ca, or see this link: http://inside.tru.ca/2018/07/06/tru-employee-e-bike-program/. Both of these programs have strong sustainability attributes and related outcomes. Kamloops is a very hilly city and countless people have said that they will not ride a traditional bike to work because it's too difficult, so they get to work in fossil-fuel powered cars or buses. E-Bikes help to 'flatten out' the hills and make commuting way less difficult. Also, from the point of view of social sustainability and well-being, many people have said that riding a bike makes them feel good and is both a great way to get some exercise in order to start the work day on the right foot, as well as a very pleasant way to end the work day. Students (and, to a lesser degree, staff and faculty) are attracted to the free borrowing program because of a strong economic sustainability aspect: it's free.