Implementing a Simple and Cost-effective Library Bike Share Program

Chicago's Divvy bike share system has tallied 10 million rides since 2013. Commercial bike share programs have become incredibly popular nationwide during the last fifteen years. Most of these commercial bike share programs are expensive to implement and usually require a smartphone to access. For the past five years, the Ames Library at Illinois Wesleyan University has run a simple, cost-effective, bike share program. This bike share uses cheap, single speed, cruiser-style bicycles. Requiring a smartphone to access a bike share limits the benefits to a certain socioeconomic class. Utilizing a library card for check-out creates a simpler, more inclusive program that reaches those most in need of transportation. Managing a bike share is one way for libraries to have a direct impact on environmental sustainability. This bike share model would be relatively easy to start at any type of library.  This poster covers the costs of implementing a bike share, type of bikes to select, maintenance, policies, and procedures.