Bike Checkouts

Bike checkouts

The Bike Loan Program is offered to students throughout the school year. Each term, students will check out bikes to suit their transportation needs. The long-term loan bikes can be rented for up to 3 terms. They cost $30 per term and include a lock and helmet. The return date for bikes is the Friday of week 10 of final term they have rented.

Students are encouraged to fill out an interest form for a bike on the Bike Program website: http://outdoorprogram.uoregon.edu/bikes/rentals. Signing the interest form does not guarantee students will get a bike, but rather it provides the Bike Manager a list of names to email with more information when bikes become available.

To accommodate for students’ needs the Bike Coordinator will respond to students wanting to rent bikes for the term and notify Mechanics and staff of the upcoming term rentals. It is the job of the Mechanics to ensure that the bikes are in working order, locks and helmets are available. It is the job of the Manager to ensure students know the process and logistics of renting a loan bike.

Fall term is the largest check-out session of the year. Some students will rent for a term, or for the year. It is of utmost importance that the bikes that are available to rent in the fall are at top working order. This means utilizing summer months to prepare for fall rentals. The Coordinator will schedule times for students to come by to rent long-term loan bikes during before the start of fall term so as not to overwhelm Mechanics and staff at the Barn facility; the Coordinator will then communicate to Mechanics and Barn staff of the rental times.

Students sign up for a check-out time slot after being emailed the safety and program information (administered currently via survey monkey). Five students will be able to sign up for each 30-minute time slot. This allows staff to go through the check-out process more efficiently with a group of students. It is the job of the Bike Program Manager to make sure that there are an appropriate number of students signed up for each check-out session.

Bike staff will all assist with the check-out. Mechanics will be on-hand to help with adjustments and any last-minute maintenance issues that arise. Bike Manager will introduce students to the bikes: how to pick the right size frame; how to use the coaster brakes; how to properly adjust the saddle; how to properly lock the bike; and give an overview of the Bike Program.

Most of the long-term loan bikes are single speed coaster brake bicycles. They come with magnetic lights, fenders and a basket attached to the bike. It is important for Mechanics and Barn staff to find the bike that fits the individual renting. Save geared bikes for those who have expressed hills on their daily commute. The bikes are not meant to meet the recreational desires of students, but rather be a means of transportation. The bikes are meant as an economic supplement for those who are on exchange or cannot afford to buy; however, they can be rented to all students.

Students are welcome to rent a long-term loan bike at any point during the term, as long as resources are available. The cost is the same throughout the term. Students to not need to schedule a time to rent bikes after the first 2 weeks of fall term. It is at the discretion of the Bike Coordinator to account for whether or not to schedule students at the beginnings of Winter or Spring term, depending on student interest in rentals.

Bike Maintenance

Through the duration of a rental, the student is responsible for upkeep of his/her bike. This is to be stressed upon check out. Any negligence the bike incurs, upon check in, the student is liable. He/she can either chose to fix the damages themselves, take to a repair shop, or pay the damage charge at the end of the loan.

It is preferable to see students take initiative with maintaining their own bike. It is not the duty of the Mechanics to work on long-term loan bikes while it is being rented, nor is it their priority to instruct the students on how to fix their bikes. It is a courtesy that is encouraged if time permits. The Mechanics are an invaluable resource, but not necessarily available at all times. The alternate resources the Shop has on hand are the hard copy manuals as well as the computer and Internet.

When bikes are checked in at the end of each term, the Mechanics will check through the bicycles and deduce any damages. The option is then given to the student to either fix the bike in the Shop, or have the amount of damage be taken out of their deposit. Once the bikes have been check back in to POS, the Mechanics are in charge of bike tune ups, necessary repairs, and replacement of parts. The BLP bikes must be tuned by a Mechanic before renting to another student.