Yellow Bike Program Makes Changes

Author: Caroline Stauffer

This year students may have noticed bikes adorned with yellow tape around campus. Those bikes are the result of what is known as the yellow bike program.
"This program is meant to reduce the rampant problem of students driving on campus," remarked Ben Brouwer '04, the organizer of the program.
There are currently 20 bikes in circulation. Although the program has existed for two years, there are several new additions to the program. This year the bikes were purchased new from the Alpine Shop and Bike Center with money from an environmental grant furnished by the Environmental Council. In the past, bikes collected by the Department of Public Safety were used. "They [the old bikes], were funky and fell apart and cost a lot of money to keep safe," Brouwer said. He added, "Another addition to the program is that the bikes have locks. By requiring users to purchase a key to use the bikes, we are hoping that a sense of responsibility for the bikes will be established and they will be better cared for and not stolen." This addition has resulted in a problem, however. Brouwer reported that people are taking off the locks. He has replaced 10 so far. To use the bikes, students can purchase a key for $6 by sending a check to Middlebury College with their name, mailbox and extension to Brouwer. "I would like to expand the program, and with possible funding from another environmental grant or the administration, we'll be able to buy more bikes," Brouwer said. Brouwer is also looking for someone to replace him in the organizational capacity of the program, and would like interested students to contact him.