Features and Opinions Editor

In an effort to become a more sustainable campus and promote active transportation among students, the Runner Ride bike share program officially launched for the CSU Bakersfield student body on Sept. 16.

Some faculty, administration and Associated Students Incorporated turned out to bring awareness to the unique program at CSUB.

While other CSU systems may have a bike share program, CSUB’s is one of a kind. The launch day was a highlight to that distinctive program and to recognize the people behind it.

Mary O’Mahoney, Director of the Student Recreation center Mary O’Mahoney spearheaded the program that saw a “soft launch” during last spring. Phase one of the program saw little advertising and signage to promote the service before Sept. 16’s launch, but students still took notice.

The numbers of usage are coming in, and the path for a biking alternative is opening up. According to ASI and O’Mahoney, in a time span of 22 days the black beach cruiser bikes were checked out 781 times.

“The numbers just blew me away,” said O’Mahoney.“We are the first CSU with this model.”

To add to the completeness of the free program, helmets and light sets are provided by the SRC as well.

Starting with a morning bike ride and transitioning to a launch day ceremony, the Runner Ride program garnered support from President Horace Mitchell as well as community leaders from Bike Bakersfield and Golden Empire Transit representatives.

The bike rentals are free with a valid student identification.

To rent a bike a student must check in at the Member Services desk in the SRC, obtain a key and take a short stroll to the bay of bicycles. Returning the bike is just as straightforward. Students need to lock it up in the stall from where it came before the SRC closes.

O’Mahoney indicated that bikes must be returned by 11 p.m. She suggested students bring them in before 10:30 p.m., due to check in time.

Campus police made its presence known at the launch day as well.

In addition to the services provided by campus police for a personal bike, free theft prevention registration and a free U-bolt style lock for signing up in the service, Chief Marty Williamson introduced the attending students to the bicycle officers and their emergency bicycles.

Complete with lights and sirens, four-outfitted bicycles protect the campus with officers patrolling until the graveyard shift at 3 a.m. While Williamson was optimistic about the community of riders being altruistic, he said that theft does happen, but not on a regular basis. Williamson stated that enhanced security, such as security cameras, were on the agenda for the police.

Williamson said that in the four years since they have been using electric cars and bicycles that mileage in a gas vehicle for the police department has been reduced by 50 to 60 percent.

As phase one for the free bike share program is underway, the future holds many possibilities for phase two of the program.

Administrators and O’Mahoney spoke of a greater expansion of the bikes to student housing and around the campus in general.

“There is a bigger opportunity to create sustainability in Bakersfield as a whole,”said O’Mahoney.

She wants to get students involved and take pride in this unique program that CSUB has to offer.

“These are community bikes, take care of them,” she said. “We have sun almost 365 days a year. Just come and take a ride.”