Published: September 27, 2007 10:23 am      

Free bicycle fleet benefits UCO students

EDMOND — Thanks to Flatire Burgers, University of Central Oklahoma students now will be able to bum a bike. Literally.

Jacob Kavanaugh, general manager at the restaurant, said he and owner Michael Jones wanted to be more involved with the university. They got together with Al’s Bicycles, 2624 S. Broadway Ct., and the Edmond Bicycle Committee, and the Bum-a-Bike program was born.

“I’ve been involved with other universities, and I know with gas prices as high as they are, transportation is a big issue with college kids,” Kavanaugh said.

Flatire purchased 10 Raleigh single-speed bicycles that will be kept at the University of Central Oklahoma’s Department of Public Safety.

Students with a valid ID may check out a bike one week at a time.

Al’s Bicycles will take care of repairs and maintenance; they also furnished bicycle locks and helmets.

“If a kid needs to get to class and their car breaks down, or if they just want to ride a bicycle for fun, they’ll have one available,” Jones said. “This fits UCO’s green campus policy and their healthy campus policy.”

Kavanaugh said if the Bum-a-Bike concept proves to be successful, more bicycles may be added to the fleet.

“We have a huge bike community here, and we’re proud to be a part of it,” he said.



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