Photo by: Katy Owens
The red bikes have come out of hibernation, making an appearance in time for spring’s perfect biking weather. But are the B-Cycles really worth the money, or does the program need restructuring to feasibly serve students?
The red bikes stationed outside of Driscoll and Nagel are part of a Denver-wide bike sharing program known as B-Cycle, which allows anyone to check out a bike and return it to any B-cycle station – for a price.
DU has two B-cycle stations on campus. Another is located at the nearby light-rail station on Buchtel.
To use the bikes, you must buy a 24-hour pass for $8, or already have a long-term pass. After that, the first 30 minutes of bike use are free, then $1 is charged for the next 30 minutes.
After the first hour, riders pay $4 for each additional 30 minutes.
During winter quarter the bikes were in storage, as the B-cycle company lacked the funding to maintain the bikes during months of low usage.
Freshman Wendy Low, a biology major from St. Louis, first learned about the B-cycles during orientation week. Though she thinks they are a bit costly for everyday use, she finds them useful for special occasions.
“I used a B-cycle for the first time over spring break. A friend and I were really bored and needed something to do, so we bought 24-hour passes so we could bike around Washington Park. It was extremely fun,” said Low. “The bikes weren’t what we were used to, but rode really well. The seats were adjustable and the handlebars were nice. That evening, we used them to get to and from the light rail from J-mac. It takes so much less time on a bike.”
Cyrus Pearo, a member of DU Club Cycling, also commented on the sturdiness of the bikes, but still had some reservations.
“The bikes are built to last. I think the concept of bike sharing is pretty fabulous,” said Pearo. “Eight dollars for 24-hours seems fair, but they shouldn’t be able to limit the time. I think they should just charge by the hour.”
The pricing system seems to be the main reason many students do not take advantage of the B-cycles around campus.
The bikes aren’t used often enough to be justified, according to freshman Graham Dickson, and he believes there are other, cheaper, alternative.
“Sure they are cool and useful to a few people, but Goodwill sells cheap bikes you can use for more than 30 minutes,” said Dickson.
Due to extra charges on extended use of the bikes, it is usually only feasible to ride the bikes to places that also have stations.
“The reason I haven’t used them is because, at least with the DU campus, they’re not really placed conveniently,” said Will Trout, a resident of Centennial Halls.
Another resident of Centennial Halls, Emily Burdett, has an annual membership and voiced a similar complaint. She enjoys their convenience, but wishes there were more stations on campus, as she would then use them daily.
“I only use the B-cycles around the DU campus. I use them to go shopping, to go get movies, and to go to shops on Colorado Boulevard. It allows me to get to places faster, and then I can do shopping in between classes,” said Burdett.
