Ohio State University Planning Accessible Bike Sharing System

The Ohio State University has entered negotiations with Zagster to bring a bicycle-sharing system to the Columbus campus. The announcement comes on the heels of a Request for Proposals which delivered five vendor submissions in response to the student-led initiative.

"Our students, and the entire university community, have unique needs and we believe Zagster's proposal offers the most comprehensive and cost-effective solution," said Jennifer Evans-Cowley, Ohio State vice provost for Capital Planning and Regional Campuses.

Ohio State's system will start with 115 bicycles, and 15 stations, delivering a safe and sustainable alternative transportation option for the university community. In addition to commuter bicycles, the system will include tandem, hand cycle, electric assist, heavy duty and three-wheeled cargo bikes.

"We recognize that we have a diverse community, needing different types of bikes for different purposes," Evans-Cowley said. "A cargo bike could be used to transport groceries while a tandem bike will allow a student who is blind to ride along with his or her sight guide. We are optimistic Ohio State will be a leader in accessible bicycle-sharing with a system that provides maximum flexibility."

In addition, "smart bikes" offer travel flexibility and high levels of security for members, using the newest technologies. "This model allows students to navigate campus and surrounding neighborhoods, providing one hour checkout on weekdays and three hours on weekends," said Beth Snoke, director of Ohio State Transportation & Traffic Management. "Security features will allow members to take the bicycles anywhere – including off-campus – and securely lock them."

Zagster currently operates bicycle-sharing programs at Yale University, Duke University, Cornell University, Princeton University and California State University. The system's bicycles are sited in geo-fences which are easy to move and scale and allow for dynamic rebalancing of the system based on demand or planned events.

Pending negotiations, the system could launch as early as summer 2015 with full implementation by fall, fulfilling a request by Undergraduate Student Government to have a program in place prior to the next academic school year. "Students are excited about having a bike-sharing system in place within a matter of months," said student Abby Waidelich, newly elected vice president of Ohio State’s Undergraduate Student Government. "Students have been a key part of this process and believe this system meets the university’s goals."

Ohio State entered the process with three clearly outlined goals:

• Conveniently and safely move people from one place to another on campus – reinforcing the park once philosophy.
• Conveniently and safely offer alternative transportation for connectivity both on campus and to other neighborhoods throughout the city.
• Conveniently and safely provide a sustainable active campus transportation option encouraging healthy lifestyle choices and promoting the university's wellness initiative.

In conjunction with the bicycle-sharing system, the university plans to expand educational safety programming and implement a helmet program, supported by a grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation. Zagster plans to offer students internships and other employment opportunities along with developing research collaborations with faculty.

Zagster, Motivate, Nextbike, Inc., Social Bicycles Inc., and The Gotcha Group LLC submitted proposals for consideration.