One of the truly remarkable things about Brandeis is the quality of leadership here. Students and faculty members have taken great initiative in terms of putting forth ideas on how to make the University a more environmentally friendly place. Initiatives regarding using more sustainable materials in take-out containers, pushing the reuse of plastic cups over disposable paper ones and expanding recycling programs are marks of hard work on the part of the Brandeis community. This week, the community debuted the new 'DeisBikes program. According to the official 'DeisBikes Web site, 'DeisBikes is a "bicycle sharing program of Brandeis University. Our mission is to promote bicycling as desirable means of transportation, in a greater effort to strengthen a culture of sustainability on campus."

Some may ask why the Student Union, the Department of Student Activities and the Campus Sustainability Initiative are supporting 'DeisBikes. With the financial problems the University faces, some may argue that providing bikes for free is a waste of resources.

Cost is something that we should always keep in mind; to this end, the program is cheap. According to the student task force for implementing the project, it cost $1,500. Considering the benefits of the program, that is a small price to pay.

A bicycling program promotes student exercise. In recent months, fans of exercise have had to deal with disappointing changes--the most disappointing being the closing of the Linsey pool. While 'DeisBikes may not appeal directly to those who once used the pool, it is a sign that voluntary exercise is still a priority at the University.

Secondly, 'DeisBikes is a renewable, fun activity. Now friends can take bikes out for rides around Waltham to places like Lizzy's or More than Words. The bikes can provide fun transportation to town events and the town farmers market. Imagine how much value would be added to the experience of participating in events in Waltham if instead of riding in a van or bus, students were able to ride a bike to these events.

'DeisBikes will also allow students to venture to new places that are not easily accessed by the BranVan. There is a biking trail that runs from Waltham to Cambridge. On this trail, there are all sorts of trees, flowers and woodland creatures.

One of the most beautiful parts of the trail includes a stand of the Japanese cherry blossoms. Each year, for a short while they bloom, and running or walking through this trail feels like being in a magical world. Geese, fascinating animals to observe in their natural habitat, are in abundance on the trail.

With 'DeisBikes, students will be able to enhance their connections to Waltham by exploring this wonderful trail. Toward Moody Street, there is a bridge where the sounds and smells of fresh water are both soothing and refreshing. There are few better places I can think of to sit and have a conversation with a friend. Stress melts away.

'DeisBikes provides a way for Brandeis to support local businesses. For instance, the program has a contract with Spoke 'n' Wheel on Main Street. Two Student Union resolutions provide for the purchase of 10 bikes, 10 tune-ups, one set of tools, 15 helmets, one pump, 15 locks and 11 decals. Since that resolution, the Justice reported an extra two bikes were added to the list. 'DeisBikes users will learn the benefits of bicycle riding. This could mean trickle-down business for Spoke 'n' Wheel in addition to the support of the University.

Finally, 'DeisBikes' mission is realistic. It benefits the environment by giving students an alternative to using environmentally unfriendly means of transportation to travel to Moody Street and other parts of town. 'DeisBikes will show experientially that bicycling is a realistic and practical alternative to the BranVan. If the 'DeisBikes program catches on, use of the BranVan may decline. This would save the University money and make the University's carbon footprint smaller.

'DeisBikes is a program of great promise and little cost. It enhances student lives by promoting voluntary exercise, gives an alternative way of getting to the hot spots in town, opens up places not reachable by van and has the potential to help local businesses while also possibly lowering costs for the University and benefitting the environment. And it comes with a mere $1,500 price tag-a sound investment.