Universities across the country are launching bike sharing programs using their school ID cards to facilitate bike rentals. Campus bike sharing programs bring a convenient and eco-friendly form of transportation and recreation to universities.

Duke University started the Duke Bikes free student bike loan program. Rental bikes – 130 in all – are positioned at locations across campus. The bikes feature adjustable seats, lights and flashers. If needed, students can also rent helmets and baskets. An accompanying online system makes it easy for students to check the inventory of bikes on the Duke Bikes website and reserve a bike or renew their current rental. They then use their Duke student ID card to check out a bike for the day. For further convenience, the Duke Bikes rental system is also integrated with the school’s Blackboard system making it easy for students to use the credit and debit functionality of the system to use their Duke cards to check out bikes for the day.
Also catching onto the bike sharing craze is Kent State University. This fall they unveiled the Flashfeet bike program. Students, faculty and staff can rent bikes at six designated locations using their Kent State ID cards. The bike sharing service is free to Kent State ID card holders. Guests on campus can also participate in the program with a valid driver’s license as long as a student or staff member assumes liability.
Bike sharing programs are continuing to gain popularity on college campuses. Bikes provide an easy mode of transportation for students to get to and from classes and run errands around town. Integrating the bike sharing initiative with existing student ID programs makes it easy for students and university officials to seamlessly incorporate the program with already existing functions.