NEW ORLEANS (November 9, 2018) – If you’d like to rent a bike at a reasonable price to ride on campus or in the community, the option is expected to come to campus next spring, according to Student Engagement and Leadership.

Megan Byas, student engagement coordinator, said her office has partnered with Blue Bikes NOLA to provide students, faculty and staff an opportunity to explore the city by offering a discounted university plan of $10 a month.

Plans to implement the use of the bikes were set to begin this semester, but Byas said changing weather conditions and hectic schedules delayed its introduction.

“We want the students to definitely benefit from this. There’s always Uber, Lyft and a good old-fashioned $30 taxi, but there’s nothing wrong with a good old-fashioned bike ride, either,” Byas said.

Plans are in motion to get a Blue Bikes station on campus by the Student Union or near the Dillard University campus. The nearest Blue Bikes station now is at the corner of Broad and St. Bernard streets.

Blue Bikes are a convenient form of transportation offered throughout the city for both visitors and residents. The same guidelines, protocols and procedures still would apply, but the university plan would provide a more convenient purchasing process as well as the discount, Byas said.

Byas said her office is working out logistics and risk management factors, along with a kick-off excursion event where students can to sign up for the bikes and experience the process. Students are the target audience, but this opportunity is also available to faculty and staff.

“We can take a nice little spring trip around the city – use the new weather and new year to get people to be active,” Byas said. “By the end of the spring, we’ll have enough following so that we can put something in place over the summer. That way, students can come back and be able to enjoy more of what Blue Bikes has to offer for next fall.”

Byas said Student Engagement wants to provide a more inviting and accessible space to students, and this initiative will allow students another healthful alternative to gym visits while offering a form of transportation that is increasingly popular.