Any college student knows all too well the difficulties of getting onto and across campus-especially in a hurry. Ole Miss students struggle with limited parking spaces, as well as crowded shuttles and the dreaded long walks between classes. That’s why the university implemented the Bird eBike program last year, and so far it has been met with a glowing success. Designed for trips between three and five miles, the electric bikes feature pedal-assist technology that makes riding even easier, according to Bird’s website. But do they really live up to the hype?
On the sustainability side, the bikes themselves meet the university’s goals for eliminating carbon emissions. Director of UM Department of Parking and Transportation (DPT) Samuel Patterson said the pedal-assist electric bikes help reduce reliance on personal vehicles and mass transit systems that emit greenhouse gases. “The program aligns with Ole Miss’s sustainability goals outlined in its strategic plans, such as fostering a pedestrian and bike-friendly campus,” says Patterson via email, “By filling the gap between walking, driving, and public transit, e-bikes offers a convenient addition for students and faculty for first and last-mile trips.” The initiative helps to support the university’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint while also enhancing mobility on campus, which in turn contributes to a sustainable and accessible environment for students and faculty.
The bikes are also helpful for traveling across campus much faster than just walking. Ole Miss Computer Engineering student Timothy Anderson says he uses the bikes to help him travel from the commuter red parking lots, located further away from campus than commuter blue, to his classes on campus. “The parking spot for the red commuter pass is on the back end of Vaught [Hemingway] Stadium, about three quarters to a one mile walk one way,” said Anderson, “I have a disability called cystic fibrosis, and so sometimes seasonally, especially in the winter, it’s a little bit difficult for me to cross those kind of longer distances, especially if its hilly and cold.” The E-bikes help provide an alternative mode of transport that makes campus more accessible by reducing travel time and physical strain, thereby ensuring that all students can navigate campus safely and efficiently regardless of mobility challenges.
In addition to meeting sustainability and access needs, the program is also more cost-effective than other modes of on-campus transportation. This is helpful because it offers a lower-cost alternative to expanding parking infrastructure, which further reduces the financial burden on both the university and on students.“DPT pays an annual amount for the bike share program and Bird charges through the app and has staff members monitor the program,” said Patterson, “It is much less expensive than other parking infrastructure and transportation.” The program offers a budget-friendly way to enhance campus mobility with its lower operational costs compared to traditional parking and transit solutions. In short, the program provides efficient and economical transportation by leveraging existing infrastructure.
The Bird eBike program has become a popular choice for students looking to travel across campus in a hurry. Data provided by DPT shows 8,757 individual rides, equalling to 9,614 miles, and that students make up a large portion of riders. These high numbers show that there is a growing demand for alternative transportation options on campus, and highlights its role in reducing reliance on personal vehicles and supporting the university’s sustainability goals. The high demand for the e-bikes could encourage further investment in the program and increase access for more students seeking to improve their daily commute.
Overall, the Bird eBike program has received positive feedback from its users, and the university plans to continue improving it to further support sustainability and transportation needs. “Bird ebikes support long-term goals of enhancing first-and last-mile connectivity,” said Patterson, “By providing a sustainable transportation option, e-bikes help students and staff efficiently travel between transit stops and their final destinations.” In addition, he says that the bikes help to bridge gaps that traditional public transportation alone cannot address. As the program evolves, the university aims to refine and expand its impact.