A student group at Portland Community College’s Cascade campus in North Portland has launched a bike rental program.
The Associated Students of PCC says the new program — that offers bikes (refurbished by the Community Cycling Center) for $15 a term — is an effort to, “increase access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable transportation.” Here’s more from ASPCCC:
“Through the integration of long-term bicycle loans, education, and recreation, the Cascade Bike Program will enhance the physical and cultural development of students. As a resource for alternative transportation, we will minimize our campus and community environmental impact… The Bike Program is an important step in the PCC’s commitment to sustainability and reducing our impact on the environment.”
The student group partnered with Portland-based Cyclone Bicycle Supply and Portland Design Works to outfit the bikes with new accessories including fenders, bells, lights, locks, and helmets. The program also includes access to DIY bike repair classes thanks to the Bike Farm and they’ll even pair up students with volunteer opportunities at the Community Cycling Center.
To be eligible for the program, students must be on financial aid and maintain a minimum course load in good academic standing.
PCC’s Cascade campus (705 N. Killingsworth) boasts a 10 percent bike mode split among students and staff — the highest among the school’s four regional campuses. The campus is on a growth streak and it’s adjacent to residential neighborhoods. As we saw with the discussion about a new multi-level parking garage back in December, auto parking capacity is a major issue. This program is one of several transportation demand management (TDM) strategies the school hopes will resolve that problem.
For more information on the program, visit ASPCC’s Bike Program website.
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That is a horrendous logo. Are they loaning out racing bikes? Acronym dangerously close to ASPCA when it rolls of the tongue. #fatalmarketingflaws
I’m an avid cyclist (duh), who takes classes at PCC. The main problem they have is that Sylvania, where many of the classes are located is so ridiculously far away that it’s difficult to ride out there.
It’s 10mi each way for me, and I live downtown. As much as I love riding, an hour long commute home down barbur in the dark isn’t particularly appealing. Plus, when classes start at 6 and I don’t get off work until 5, it’s a little difficult to get there on time.
I don’t have a good answer, BTW, I just wanted to whine.
PCC doesn’t have an intercampus shuttle?
yes, with bike racks.
At least you aren’t at Rock Creek. Could be worse.
What a fantastic initiative. Way to go PCC students!
agreed. this seems about as good a model for what is right about transportation as I can think of. This gets my vote (over those nutty underground parking garages we learned about here a while back).
Yes, this is fantastic! I am impressed by this initiative. And I think the logo is just fine…
I love this and fear it at the same time. So happy to see the safety equipment included. Personally I hope there is something in the contract that the rider is required to wear the helmet. Dustin Finney was a PCC student at Cascade and Sylvania, rode to both campuses from 122nd Avenue, and while a helmet would not have prevented his death (I specifically verified this with the medical examiner) six months ago, I believe it did help prevent injuries to the other cyclist struck. Dustin would love this program! If only the roads and people on them were safer …
This is great! Sounds similar to the University of Oregon’s Bike Program where students can receive loaner bikes. These are great programs that help out college students and increase accessibility and interest in biking as a mode of transportation!
Whats more, the entire PCC bike rental fleet is made up of refurbished bicycles from the Community Cycling Center. We also received and installed the accessories they obtained from Portland Design Works and Cyclone Bicycle Supply.
We are excited to work with such an enthusiastic group of students who are committed to providing a healthy mode of transportation on their campus. We look forward to working with them on expanding their fleet in the future.
Jonnie Ling
Shop General Manager
Community Cycling Center
My biggest beef with PCC is they have no covered bike parking. They have large campuses, and large student bodies who ride bikes (any day without rain, every bike rack is FULL).
You have no idea what a cr*pfest it is to emerge from a six hour class, to find your bikeseat & handlebars sopping wet. Uugh.
Bravo to PCC! I enjoyed chatting with them about our four year old bike loan program at UO as they designed theirs. Great to see it launch.
Is someone taking responsibility for at least sort of fitting bikes to riders?
Ethan, stop being such a hater. Despite you not liking our logo, we were able to place almost all of the bikes this term to people that needed transportation, students that will use them, and will hopefully join the Portland cycling movement.
As for ASPCC, this name follows a long standing tradition for student governments and student leadership groups to add “Associated Students” before the name of their institution to represent their program.
Cascade is perhaps the best suited campus in the PCC district to implement such a program. We are grateful for the positive support the program has received from the Portland cycling community. Community Cycling Center was a tremendous ally in this project. We are looking forward to expanding this student-led program for years to come.
—
Doug Taylor
Student Body President
ASPCC Cascade