EC Bike Share
Bike Share is a collaborative venture operated by Public Safety and supported by the Environmental Leadership Program and Student Life. The program provides a low-cost transport option for students to travel around campus and out into the wider Richmond community.
Safety
Utilizing the Earlham College bike share to ride a bicycle on the road means sharing the road with cars, tracks and motorcycles. That can be a scary thought, but if you ride smart, you can be safe and enjoy the ride.
Bicycle Indiana provides a few tips and reminders to help you share the road with sense and safety.
Rental bikes and fees
A fleet of city and hybrid bikes are available for free daily rental. Mountain bikes for more technical terrain are available for $5/day. Bikes can be taken for overnight trips for a charge of $10/night.
City bike – Breezer Uptown
Good for comfort cruising, carrying books, bags, groceries
Hybrid bike – Fuji Traverse
Has suspension fork for comfort on longer rides and potholed roads – perfect for exploring the Greenway
Hybrid bike – Fuji Traverse
Has suspension fork for comfort on longer rides and potholed roads – perfect for exploring the Greenway
Mountain bike – Specialized Pitch
Dedicated off-road bike for checking out technical terrain like the trails back campus and at Hayes Arboretum
How it works
To use Bike Share, follow these easy steps:
- Sign up online.
- Go to Public Safety, find an available bike in the rack outside and note the painted number on the frame.
- Sign out the bike at the Public Safety front desk and receive the key for your bike.
- Unlock your bike and do an “ABC Quick Check” for the following:
- Air — inflated tires and no visible defects.
- Brakes — both levers working and brake pads align with wheel rims when engaged.
- Chain + cranks — wind the pedals backwards, make sure the chain is on, running smoothly and has no rust.
- Quick — quick release levers on wheels and saddle should be closed and secure.
- Check — do a short ride to test for comfort: seat is at a height that allows you to place the balls of both feet on the ground when astride the saddle; check that your gear shifters work and select a gear that enables you to turn the pedals easily without spinning inefficiently.
If any parts are not working, please make the necessary adjustment if you able to. Otherwise ask a Public Safety staff member for help or request a different bike and inform the staff of the faults on the bike that needs fixing.
- Go ride! Wear a helmet, follow Indiana road rules, and lock your bike securely to a non-removable structure when you are not using it.*
- Return your bike to the Public Safety rack by 11 p.m. on the day of rental (a late fee applies**).
- Tell your friends and get out there again soon!
* Bike Share bikes found unlocked will be returned to Public Safety and a $10 service fee will be applied to your student account
** To qualify for free rental, bikes must be returned by 11 p.m., otherwise a late fee will be charged to your student account. Charges will also be passed on to the user for any damage beyond normal wear and tear.