DeisBikes are now available

The 'DeisBikes program, which will provide 12 bicycles for rent as a viable means of transportation as well as to help create a culture of sustainability on campus, was officially launched yesterday.The program cost roughly $1,500 in setup costs, tools and bicycles and was entirely organized by students, according to Susan Paykin '11, a member of the student task force responsible for implementing the 'DeisBikes program.

The 'DeisBikes program will be based out of the Shapiro Campus Center, and rentals will be free of charge to undergraduate students. Students will be able to rent a bicycle for a maximum of 24 hours, and those interested in renting a bicycle will be able to sign up at the Info Desk in the campus center. After signing up, a student will be given a bike, a helmet and a lock.

'DeisBikes originated through collaboration between students in Prof. Laura Goldin's (AMST) "Greening the Ivory Tower" fall semester class and members of the Student Union. During the class, five students discussed the possibility of creating a bike rental program at Brandeis.

The students, Paykin, Lea Giddins '11, Caroline Cappello '11, Lisa Frank '09 and Kevin Lowenberg '11, formed a task force to work with the Student Union to craft and implement the 'DeisBikes program.

"The idea of creating a program to make bikes readily available to students on campus had been talked about many times in prior classes, but this year the students really decided to tackle this head-on," Goldin wrote in an e-mail to the Justice. "The students did great research and planned well, and through hard work and collaboration with the [Student Union] they were able to turn their idea into a reality."

Some Student Union senators had also discussed creating a bicycle rental program. Student Union senators Chenchao Lu '09 and Paul Balik '10 helped the task force purchase the bikes and get them serviced and repaired at the Waltham bike shop Spoke 'n' Wheel.

The Senate has passed two Senate Money Resolutions to fund the 'DeisBikes program, and under a bylaw change passed March 1, the Union Senate Services Committee will continue to oversee the maintenance of the program.

According to the Senate agenda online, the maintenance will include providing student bicycle mechanics. According to Giddins, two students were trained.

According to Lu, there are a variety of bikes available, from road bikes to mountain bikes, ranging in size.

The bikes will be located in the newly installed bike rack outside of the Shapiro Campus Center, and students will be able to choose from any bike that is still available. The bikes will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Giddens said that the feedback from students about 'DeisBikes has been positive. "Students seem really excited. I heard one student say, 'Did you know about the program?' It's so exciting,'" Giddens said.

"I've been looking forward to. renting a bike . ever since I heard about the 'DeisBikes program," said Charlie Gandleman '09 yesterday as he wheeled his bike across the Great Lawn at the 'DeisBikes launch event.

"I really enjoy biking, so I think this will be a great opportunity," Geraldine Rothschild '12 said.

Sustainability Coordinator Janna Cohen-Rosenthal '03 said that the long-term goal of Brandeis is to become a carbon-neutral campus, which includes minimizing the carbon emitted when students commute to and from campus.

She added, "'DeisBikes will really help reduce the amount of cars on campus. [First-years] aren't allowed to have cars on campus, but we would love it if a sophomore saw the variety of transportation options, including 'DeisBikes . and decided that having a car on campus doesn't make sense," she said.