Before the semester started, Technician’s assistant news editor, Luke Perrin, wrote an article on Limebike, the new bike-sharing program on NC State’s campus. Since then, these bikes have arrived on campus with mixed results. While, of course, it will take several weeks for students and faculty to get acclimated to the idea of a bike-sharing program, students have been asking for one for years.

Upon first learning about the idea of Limebike, I was a little confused on how to find the nearest one, since there are no kiosks. It turns out that the app uses your location as well as the bike locator to find the bike nearest you. In the app you pick the bike you want and the app guides you to its location. All you have to do is scan the QR code to unlock the bike and you’re on your way.

Since Limebike does not use fixed bike-docking stations, it greatly reduces the cost NC State has to pay to have the service on campus. This also allows students flexibility in leaving the bike wherever is more convenient for them, as long as they lock the bike using the mobile app. These features make Limebike more affordable and flexible than other traditional bike-sharing programs.

At the end of your ride the trip summary shows your calories burned and emissions saved. Limebike allows students and faculty the option of choosing a more environmentally friendly option for short trips with a health benefit as well. In fact, students may find that occasionally taking a bike ride to and from classes gives them a mental boost while helping them stretch their legs after sitting for prolonged periods of time.

While I would argue that NC State’s transportation system on and around campus is really good, there are times when you need another quicker and more convenient option. The increased connectivity of places on campus that are not as frequently serviced by the bus system is an added plus of Limebikes, not to mention the carbon emissions avoided by taking a bike to class. 

Limebike’s stationless bike share model, where you can park at a bike rack or leave it curbside, has a lot of advantages over NC State’s bike rental program, WolfWheels. WolfWheels rentals are only offered on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. In order to rent bikes from WolfWheels, students or faculty have to go to the Carmichael Recreation Center between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Now students and faculty have an alternative that is much more readily available anywhere on campus and usable whenever they need it.

The app is very easy to use, and I found it to be a reasonable, environmentally friendly way to get around campus. A 30-minute ride for faculty and staff at NC State is 50 cents, half of what Limebike typically charges the general public for the same amount of time. With the first ride being free, it is easy to see if the app is something you will use in the future before you purchase credits. The only downside of the app is that it uses your location even if it isn’t open, which can be a real drain to your battery.

I am happy to see that NC State is open to new options to increase mobility on campus, and it seems Limebike has been smoothly integrated into NC State’s transportation system. However, I have not seen many students taking advantage of this new option.

This could potentially be due to our existing culture on campus and in America regarding transportation. It is up to students and staff to exchange their routine practices of taking the bus or driving and instead take advantage of this earth-friendly option so we can continue reaping the added benefits.