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Project Updates for collection: Bicycle Related Projects

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  1. Weekly Update: Sustainapalooza, bike rental, Lincoln Avenue Corridor Study Open House

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Sorry for the delay, I was out yesterday. My staff tabled at the Sustainapalooza yesterday on the quad.

    Elsewhere, our visitor numbers are creeping up and we had two people originally interested in renting our 1-person bikes but upon further consideration, opted to try out our tandem to great success. Our donations have anecdotally ticked upwards as well, which is fortuitous timing as we had exhausted our supply of used 26” tires.

    Just received late notice about the RPC having an outreach/input session this afternoon on the Lincoln Avenue Corridor Study, which I’ll publicize to my staff and visitors. The more voices that can provide input, the better.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 44
    Sales: $682.65
    Bikes: 4 for $675
    Memberships: 2 for $60
    Tires/tubes: 9 for $68

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  2. Weekly Update: bike sale, TBP community ride

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Getting busier with the warmer temps. Working our way through a glut of single speed bikes, which are both easy to fix (thus far; knock on wood) and will be in demand come the fall. We’ve got around 20 or so bikes for sale, but the math is shifting from when we have more time to fix than help to now having more people in than down time to fix up bikes.

    Over the weekend The Bike Project held a community ride, which I attended. Great weather for some bumpy road meandering!

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 26
    Sales: $1,047.50
    Bikes (refurb): 4 for $685
    Memberships: 5 for $150
    Tires/tubes: 12 for $96

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  4. Weekly Update: Walking Tour

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Slow week with the bad weather. This week looks better. Friday we’re helping with the Campus Recreation Walking Tour and so will show off our space to some folks that probably wouldn’t visit otherwise—that’ll be fun.

    Also have a couple new staff starting this week.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 14
    Sales: $223.50
    Memberships: 2 for $60
    Tires/tubes: 4 for $35

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  5. Weekly Update: Donation, Busier week, Staff training

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, It’s April! Busier week over here with the warm spell. Tues/Thurs continue to be slower days and the 4 – 6p side of our hours remain more popular—anecdotally. I’ll dig into the numbers and see if that bears out.

    We are also trying out new sales tickets for our bikes, with the hopes that it’ll speed up that process as demand at the computer/square station will increase between our checkouts and the Adv. Rec folks.

    We received a large donation on Thursday, which we’ll continue to work through this week. Will also facilitate a staff training for a new hire. Plan to tackle some of the abandoned bikes as well.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 38
    Sales: $727
    Bikes (refurb):  2 for $275
    Bikes (B-a-B): 1 for $50
    Memberships: 4 for $120
    Tires/tubes: 2 for $19

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  6. Weekly update: M-F hours, IU sustainability visit

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, First week of being open M – F wasn’t blow-the-doors-off-busy. Tuesday was a dud, but Thursday picked up a little. Think it’ll take a little longer to get the word out on our new hours, and of course it’s always weather-dependent to a degree.

    We had a visit from Indiana University sustainability folks on Friday, which was good.

    This week is business as usual and next week it’ll be April! That undoubtedly will be a busy month.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 26

    Sales: $934.09
    Bikes (refurb): 3 for $540

    Bikes (B-a-B): 1 for $50
    Memberships: 6 for $180
    Tires/tubes: 10 for $65

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  7. Weekly Update: Spring break, M-F open

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, We were closed for Spring Break, and I guess mother nature decided that was when it would actually be spring, and now it’s back to winter. This week we reopen to M – F 2 - 6p. Considering the cooler temps, likely won’t be super busy on those days.

    We were thwarted by the weather right before break and unable to clear bikes from the barn but will try again this week.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 29
    Sales: $302.50
    Bikes (B-a-B): 1 for $40

    Memberships: 4 for $120
    Tires/tubes: 13 for $75

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  8. Weekly Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Business as usual last week. We cleared some space up in the back to accommodate more for sale bikes, as we were out of room in the lobby.

    After this week, we will be closed all of Spring Break and afterwards reopen M – F.

    Will continue to grab bikes from the barn this week. Another unseasonably warm week ahead!

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 38
    Sales: $467
    Bikes: 1 for $180
    Memberships: 4 for $120
    Tires/tubes: 2 for $30

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  9. Transportation iCAP Team Meeting 2/28/2024

    Associated Project(s): 
    Transportation iCAP Team
    Electric Vehicle (EV) Task Force
    2024 Campus Bike Plan

    The Transportation iCAP Team met on 2/28/2024 to discuss the outlined proposal of the DESMAN report, the 2024 Campus Bike Plan, and end-of-year reporting initiatives. Attached is a link to the meeting recording.

    Attached Files: 

  10. 2024 Campus Bike Plan Meeting Held on 02/27/2024

    Associated Project(s): 
    2024 Campus Bike Plan

    I had a meeting with Sarthak on February 27th, 2024 to discuss the working document of the 2024 Campus Bike Plan.

    Below are the notes of the meeting, mentioning the action items:

    • A weekly update on the working of the document to be uploaded on ICAP portal.
    • Review and edit the summary of the progress reports, if needed, written by Kejsi and Ethan.
    • Review the section for Equity and Inclusion in Chapter 3: Goals and Objectives.
    • Chapter 2: Stakeholders
      • Add DRES as a stakeholder.
    • Chapter 4: Equity and inclusion
      • Add about parking for tandem bikes, E-bikes.
      • Add the circuit map created, showing the route taken by wheelchair athletes.
      • Mention the meeting with Adam and the concerns regarding the infrastructure for wheelchair athletes.
      • Describe the routes taken, their existing condition, issues and proposed interventions.
      • Add description about the condition of Peabody Drive and the proposed intervention.
      • Add description about the condition of Pennsylvania Avenue till Lincoln Avenue and the proposed intervention.
      • Mention about coordinating with TDM and Capital Programs at Facilities & Services for street level improvements along the routes mentioned in circuit map.
    • Chapter 5: Network
      • Proof read and propose changes wherever necessary.
    • Chapter 7: Additional Considerations
      • Proof read and propose changes wherever necessary for Education section and beyond.
    • Bike rack inventory maintenance audit:
      • Fill in the remaining details and complete the sheet.
      • Visit locations of bike racks with blurry or no photos or where the rack capacity is not mentioned.
      • Classify different types of bike racks based on their condition and maintenance level and create separate pdf’s for each.

  11. Weekly Update: Busy, M-F hours after Spring break

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Business as usual last week. We were especially busy on Friday with a wait for stand time. Today will probably be hopping, too. Warm weather and all. Should cool down by end of week and allow us to finish some for-sale bikes, as spring seems to be coming sooner this year. Only a couple more weeks before we’re open M – F. Be good to get the Tue/Thurs crew some public facing time, as they’ve been squirreled away working on our off-days.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 38
    Sales: $764.50
    Bikes (refurb): 2 for $350

    Memberships: 5 for $150
    Tires/tubes: 11 for $85

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  12. Weekly Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Most surprisingly, we sold a bike on Friday during the snowy times. Odd timing but if you need a bike, you need a bike! Can’t argue there. Got a new hire in pipeline, gearing up for some warmer weather this week. Probably means some busyness around here.

    Been working with my staff on lacing up wheels. Can’t speak highly enough of the instructional book and the staff have taken to it admirably.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 21
    Sales: $493.50

    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $160

    Memberships: 5 for $150

    Tires/tubes: 9 for $95

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  13. Weekly Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Run of the mill week here. Thanks to Todd for grabbing scrap over the weekend. This week I’ll grab some more bikes from the barn to fix up and/or scrap. Had a few sneaky ones that look good at first glance and are junk in the end. We’re getting a good stockpile of overhauled wheels ready for when folks’ bikes need new-to-them wheels.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 35
    Sales: $388.50
    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $200
    Memberships: 3 for $90
    Tires/tubes: 2 for$8

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  15. Weekly update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Sneakily busy last week. Warmer weather this week will likely keep visitors darkening the doors. Still plugging away at the abandoned bikes. Had an interview last week for another student worker to bolster our team in advance of the really warm weather.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 43
    Sales: $615.50

    Bikes (refurb): 2 for $260
    Bikes (B-a-B): 1 for $50
    Memberships: 3 for $90
    Tires/tubes: 2 for $5

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  16. Weekly Update: Kid's Bike Giveaway, Busy in cold weather!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    Happy New Year! Since my last email, we hosted our annual Kid’s Bike Giveaway. It was terrible weather with a steady cold rain, but we still gave away 70+ bikes in about 20 minutes. There was supposed news coverage with WCIA but I wasn’t able to track down the actual footage. Not an hour after we’d given away all the bikes, someone showed up with a couple kids bike donations. Already started on next year!

    The semester started last week, and we were surprisingly busy—even on Friday when it was a snowy mess out there, which meant it was a melting snowy mess in our workshop, too. A good problem to have.

    We’ll see how we fare this week with the freezing rain.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 21
    Sales: $283
    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $170
    Memberships: 1 for $30
    Tube/tire: 1 for $4

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  17. Weekly Update: Kids bike giveaway, Staff, Winter break

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, We’re down to a skeleton crew here as a lot of staff have departed for the semester. We’ll be fielding/repairing donations for the Kids Bike Giveaway this week, as a few last-minute folks have been reaching out thanks to mentions in E-week and the like. We’ll close after hours on Friday for the semester and reopen Tues, January 16th.

    Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all!

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 23

    Sales: $264
    Memberships: 4 for $120
    Tires/tubes: 7 for $40

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  19. Weekly Update: Thanksgiving break, Kids bike donation

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Hope everyone had a good holiday break! Mine extended into Monday, so this is a day late.

    We got a few more kids bike donations come in the Friday before we closed for the break, so we are full steam ahead in soliciting donations and fixing them up. With the nippy weather we should have plenty of time to work on the donations we have so far and tackle some cleaning/organizing that always gets pushed to the slower and colder months. We’ll also continue to make progress on the barn bikes.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 24

    Sales: $476.50
    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $180
    Memberships: 4 for $120
    Tires/tubes: 6 for $61

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  20. Daily Illini article: UI updates partnership with Veo Cosmo trial

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bike Share with Veo

    Read the article online at: https://dailyillini.com/news-stories/campus-life/2023/11/14/ui-partnersh.... This article was published on November 14. 2023.

     

    UI updates partnership with Veo Cosmo trial By Mary Piacente, Staff Writer • November 14, 2023 Veo+bikes+sit+in+front+of+Wohlers+Hall+on+Nov.+10.     Anh-Khoi Pham Veo bikes sit in front of Wohlers Hall on Nov. 10.    

    After the positive feedback surrounding Veo’s campus pilot program introduced in May, the University will continue its partnership with the transportation service and promote e-bike safety on campus.

    The University began its partnership with Veo Micromobility, a bike-share company promoting the availability of clean transportation, in 2019. The partnership allowed students to pay to use bikes and scooters through the Veo app.

    Over the summer, stemming from community demand, Veo launched a campus pilot project to introduce motorized class 2 e-bikes. Also known as Cosmo models, these bikes were meant to expand upon the University’s existing rideshare program.

    According to an article posted by the bike company Aventon, class 2 e-bikes differ from the previously offered bikes and scooters by providing “assistance when pedaling” and having “a maximum speed of 20 mph with a throttle.”

    Sarthak Prasad, sustainable transportation assistant at Facilities & Services, said that the partnership has improved transportation accessibility both on and off campus.

    “Veo is providing a service to campus for our students, whether it’s for general use, recreational use or fun,” Prasad said. “For the community outside the University, they have added a value for lower-income families.”

    However, Aidan Joyce, sophomore in LAS, said that the pricing of Veo rentals prevents him from using the service more.

    “I think that if (Veo) actually lowered the prices, then more people would use the new bikes,” Joyce said.

    Since the introduction of the Cosmo e-bikes, Prasad said that minimal safety and vandalism issues have been noticed by the University administration. Despite this, certain questions about e-bike safety for pedestrians on campus have arisen. 

    “There have been a few minor safety concerns, and we’re working with Veo on those things,” Prasad said. “It’s not just Veo — it’s with the increase in the number of e-bikes and e-scooters that we see on campus.”

    Prasad emphasized that the University is currently working on educational campaigns that promote bicycle, e-bike and e-scooter safety, including how to safely ride your bicycle while being aware of your surroundings. 

    Another issue that has arisen from the introduction of the Cosmo bikes has been the protection of public spaces for non-Veo cyclists. 

    Geofencing, the GPS technology Veo uses to ensure bikes do not enter specific “no-ride zones,” has also failed to prevent certain inconveniences for typical bikers on campus.

    “There are a couple of issues that we have seen with the geofencing restrictions,” Prasad said. “If Cosmo e-bikes are taking up all or a lot of the spaces, then there’s not enough room for people with personal bicycles to park in that area.”

    However, despite these minor issues resulting from the introduction of class 2 e-bikes, Prasad said that the response surrounding the campus pilot program was overall favorable.

    “There was a community feedback request back at the end of summer, and the response was very positive from the community towards this program,” Prasad said. 

     

    marypp2@dailyillini.com

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