A Brief History of the Community Bike Project at SUNY Cortland
Fall 2003
Planning for the creation of bike share program started with collaboration of student, faculty and staff
Research was conducted on how other bike programs were operated
The SUNY Cortland campus was studied to determine what would work on our campus
The Community Bike Project (CBP) started with seed bikes from a donation drive
The first refurbished bike was named Ol' Blue and is on display in the Outdoor Pursuits Center today
Spring 2004
The first 15 yellow bikes went out and were unlocked around campus for anyone to use
Bike rangers (volunteers) locked bikes up at night to racks painted yellow located all over campus
Bike rangers also collected bikes found off campus
At the end of the first semester, the program was missing only one bike
Fall 2004 to Spring 2009
The program had grown up to 65 yellow bikes to be left unlocked and free to use all over campus
Volunteers built bikes, painted and designed bikes, maintained bikes, kept bikes safe, solicited donated bikes, and much much more
Began the "Red Bike Rental Program," for those who wanted a long-term bike for use
Began the "Green Work Bike Program, " for groups who wanted to ride a bike to do errands instead of using a car
Began to see more missing bikes and more careless use of yellow bikes
Fall 2009 to Spring 2011
Began the free yellow bike check-out/check-in program
Recreation administration students from the Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies Department oversaw the program
Continued to build the fleet, including yellow free bikes, red rental bikes, and green work bikes
Added a free yellow hand cycle for students with disabilities
Fall 2011 - Fall 2014
The goal of the project was to add a high quality fleet of bikes for group checkout and group rides, fundraise for "88" bikes and to continue to sustain the most awesome bike program ever
Spring 2015 - Current
With the creation of the new Student Life Center, the CBP was relocated to a new home within the Recreational Sports Department under Outdoor Pursuits
The focus for the first two years has mainly been involved with trying to understand the program and how to continue to offer an alternate, safe mode of transportation for the college community
Initiatives moving forward include
Purchasing a few new bikes each year to phase out the oldest bikes
Re-painting all bikes
Outfitting all bikes with reflectors and bells
Providing lights available for rent
Providing more education such as an orientation video to all bike users
Collaborating with the City of Cortland to host workshops and participate in the annual Halloween Parade
