U of C gearing up for “U-Bike” program

Free campus-wide bicycle program takes recycling and sustainability to a new level

The University of Calgary’s Transportation Action Group has come up with an innovative, and environmentally friendly, solution to a growing problem. “There’s been an influx in the number of abandoned bikes on campus,” says Hans Luu, the U of C’s Environmental Management Coordinator. “We didn’t want to throw them away, so instead of leaving the bikes in a heap to rust, we came up with the U-Bike concept.”“U-Bike” is a free campus-wide bicycle program. Ten abandoned bikes have been fixed up, converted to single speed, painted bright yellow and red in a distinctive striped pattern, and equipped with baskets.

Beginning today, the bikes will be distributed in various locations throughout the U of C campus for faculty, staff and students to use. “The idea is simple. If someone needs to use a bike they just take it out of the rack, ride it to where they’re going, and then leave it for the next person.”


While the “U-Bike” program is unique, the concept isn’t new. The community bicycle movement began in the Netherlands in 1968 and is only recently gaining popularity in North America. Although there are many different forms of public bike programs all promote public transportation at the individual level.

Ryan Probert, manager of The Bike Shop, says his company has been advocating the use of bicycles as individual transportation for years. The Bike Shop is supporting “U-Bike” by providing baskets for all the bikes. “It’s important to get the message out, to promote the use of bicycles as a mode of transportation. It’s good for your health, and it’s good for the environment.”


“U-Bike” is part of the university’s Sustainability Initiative. Luu says it’s designed to help promote awareness of environmentally-friendly transportation alternatives, along with health and wellness. “Given the transportation problem that has arisen in Calgary it’s important that we, as a premier learning institution, take the lead in exploring transportation alternatives that are not only good for our health, but are also good for the environment so that we won’t tax an already stressed out infrastructure.”


For more information:
Contact Janna Klemen, Media Relations Advisor 220-4756, jklemen@ucalgary.ca