U-PASS Profiles
Bicycling: Profile
(originally published in the Fall 2002 U-Commute News)
Re-duce Re-use Re-cycle - Linguistic Department's "Bike Pool"
When it takes 40 minutes to walk round-trip across campus to pick up payroll, petty cash, etc., you need to be resourceful with your time. To reduce staff errand time, the Linguistic Department created a Bike Pool. The Bike Pool is healthy for the department's budget, personnel and the environment as it eliminates the cost and pollution of using a motor pool or personal vehicle to travel across campus and gives employees a little exercise.
Dan Stiefel, Computing Specialist, noticed bikes in the UW Surplus Property warehouse while he was surplusing computers for the Linguistics Department. He also knew the part-time office staff needed to get around campus quickly to run errands. The surplus bikes seemed to be the link to solve his department's problem.
Dan approached Julia Herschensohn, Linguistic Department Chair, about the idea of creating a Bike Pool. She was in favor of his proposal and gave him the go ahead to use the department budget to purchase bikes and parts for the new Bike Pool.
It is Julia's feeling that, "the recycled bicycles are a boon for staff, faculty and students who need to commute or run errands across our ever-growing campus." The department's investment is minimal; the department pays for the surplus bikes and Dan donates his time to recondition the bicycles that might have been headed for scrap metal.
After three months, Dan purchased six bikes from Surplus Property. The bikes have since been parted into three reconditioned bicycles. Four other bikes were also purchased privately at the same time by members of the department for recreational use and to commuting to and from campus. The bikes are mostly 18-21 speed mountain/city commute bikes with upright handlebars that needed fenders, racks, kick stands and seats. Two of the bikes required very little fixing, but they were all cleaned, oiled and adjusted. Purchasing extra bikes for parts was the most economical way to re-build the bikes. Dan states, "It's a grab bag. They're all dirtyÑif there are any expensive bikes they'll probably be sold in the Surplus auction that takes place approximately every six weeks. I look for medium quality bikes such as Univega, or Raleigh with Shimano components. If you have less time and more money, buy the slightly more expensive $20-$40 bikes from Surplus. If you are really brave and resourceful, buy their $1 bikes!"
The Linguistic Department bikes cost about $5 from Surplus Property. After being renovated, the total cost of the bike is approximately $50 including the bike parts, helmet and five-foot cable lock or a U-Lock. While most parts came from other bikes, Dan used his U-PASS to receive a 10 percent discount at Recycled Cycles on other parts he needed to complete the restoration. From the department budget, three bike helmets were purchased for only $10 with a U-PASS from Hall Health. The helmets came with different set of pads, making them adjustable for other riders.
Initially, the bikes are intended for faculty and staff use. As the new quarter begins, if Teaching/Research Assistants and others in the department request bikes for daily campus travel, the department will consider adding to its Bike Pool from UW Surplus Property's ever-changing stock of homeless bikes.
To keep the bureaucracy to a minimum, the check-out procedures are simple. The keys, backpacks to carry items, and helmets all hang in one location. The bikes are locked in the bike rack outside building. When a person wants to ride the bike, they remove the keys and helmet from the hook and use the bike.
When getting started, Dan adds, "you shouldn't be limited by not finding someone to help with the labor." Departments who don't have a "Dan on-hand" willing to do the labor to put together a Bike Pool should investigate bicycle partners such as Recycled Cycles, BikeSport, Cloud EV or Bike Works, which provide a 10-20 percent discount on parts and accessories to U-PASS holders. Additionally, it might be worth spending some time at the Surplus Property's bicycle auction and picking up a bike that is a little more expensive, but needs fewer repairs.
DAN'S TIPS to STARTING a BIKE POOL
- Find someone in the department who can do/donate the labor.
- Find a place to work on the bikes. At Wright Brothers Bicycle in Fremont, you pay only $30 for a life-time "fix-it-yourself" membership that provides use of its professional bicycle shop facility, work stands, and tools.
- Purchase used parts whenever possible from bike shops that give U-PASS discounts, such as Recycled Cycles.
- Buy a U-lock, or better yet, a U-lock and cable lock. (Bicycle thieves typically carry a tool for defeating one type of lock or the other but not both.)
- Purchase helmets from Hall Health for only $10 with a U-PASS.
- Make the bike pool procedures simple to administer.
- To ensure that the bike doesn't inadvertently return to UW Surplus, clearly label the bikes as departmental property and register it with UW Campus Police at www.washington.edu/admin/police/prevention/bikereg.html
UW Surplus Property
206-685-1573
surplus2@u.washington.edu
For more information about UW bike sales or to view the bikes available, visit www.washington.edu/admin/surplus/
then click on UW Surplus Public Store or Public Auction
BikeSport
206.706.4700
10 percent off bicycles and 20 percent off accessories
Bike Works
206.725.9408
10 percent off new and used parts and accessories
Recycled Cycles
206.547.4491
10 percent off parts and accessories.
Hall Health (discounted bike helmets and lights)
mshaw@u.washington.edu
206.616.8476
It's best to call before you stop by.
Room 213
