Bike Share Program Promotes Alternative Transportation
“Walk or ride?” is a question often asked by students in sunny Savannah and understandably so, as the scenic landscape and blossoming magnolias are worth enjoying and somedays students don’t want to be confined to riding, walking or driving.
Starting in the fall quarter, SCAD will introduce a bike share program to the Savannah campus, giving students the option of cycling to their classes.
In an email interview with the Dean of Students, David Blake, he explained that, “the idea came from President Wallace as an initiative to create alternative transportation options for students.”
The program will function much like an Uber, where students will be able to download an app and use it to see where an open bike is available. Students can choose to reserve a bike 30 minutes prior to leaving or just walk up and swipe their SCAD ID to unlock the bike and begin renting it.
According to Blake, the first four hours will be free for students that way they can get to class, have it for the two-and-a-half hours of class, plus have time to run errands and then finally return the bike. After that it will cost students $4 for each additional hour of rental.
“Once their ride is complete, students can lock the bike up anywhere within a geo-fence area that will be outlined on the app and website,” outlined Blake.
The program will start with 100 bikes and will possibly expand depending on whether or not usage increases.
Asli Shebe is a senior writing major from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She began working for District in 2014 as a staff writer, then copy editor, A&E editor, Chief Assignment editor and finally, Editor-in-Chief in 2017. Asli currently holds the record for obtaining the most job titles during her time at District. When she’s not writing for District you can find her biking around the Historic District of Savannah at odd hours of the day.
