In Dayton, Giving Out Free Bikes To Keep Cars Off Campus | Forbes

Anyone who’s visited a college campus lately — or who is about to drop off kids for the new school year — knows that parking is at a premium. Now, the University of Dayton is joining other schools across the country by giving bikes to students who promise not to bring a car to campus.

The program kicks off next week, with the first 100 bikes going to freshmen who entered a drawing earlier this year. The incoming students had to promise not to bring cars to campus during their first two years at the Ohio school. The drawing attracted almost 300 entries, according to the school.

What's Big With The College Kids? Bike SharingMicheline MaynardContributor

The Dayton program is an outgrowth of the school’s existing bike-sharing program. Over the past two years, bikes have been checked out more than 4,500 times, with 3,000 checked out in the last year.

Male students will receive a Linus Roadster Sport and female students will be given the Linus Dutchi 3, all equipped with three-speed shifters and rear carrying racks. The bikes, and safety helmets, will be presented to students during a special ceremony on campus next Friday.

Colleges have been trying to discourage their students from bringing cars to campus for years. Universities that have offered free bikes to students include The University of New England in Biddeford, Maine, and Ripon College in Wisconsin, according to The New York Times. [Keep reading at Forbes]