CHADRON – Dr. Britt Helmbrecht, Associate Professor in Health Physical Education and Recreation, has initiated a bike-sharing program on the Chadron State College campus through a $10,000 grant she received from Healthy Blue, an arm of the Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance company.
Helmbrecht said Chadron Bike Share will eventually expand to support the community, but the pilot project will start on campus and serve the transportation and wellness needs of CSC students.
“The concept is pretty simple. If you find a bike parked in a bike rack on campus with the Chadron Bike Share sticker and a bike license plate, feel free to ride it to your next destination. It’s your responsibility to return the bike to a designated bike rack on campus when you’re done with it. ‘Ride. Return. Repeat.’ is the slogan for this project,” Helmbrecht said.
Helmbrecht is excited that the initiative aligns with the Eagle Wellness priorities and strategic goals and with her role as Campus Wellness Officer.
Recently, a representative of the Panhandle Public Health District asked Helmbrecht if she would be willing to start a community bike-sharing program. She was interested and posted a request for donated bikes on social media which received an overwhelmingly positive response.
Dr. Kurt Kinbacher, a Professor of History and experienced cyclist, volunteered to support the program by making sure the bikes were mechanically sound.
“He went through the bikes, we ordered parts, and he fixed them up. There was little direction and a lot of freedom to decide what would work best for our campus and community,” Helmbrecht said.
Although the bikes are monitored by GPS tracking, Helmbrecht hopes users will respect the principle of the program by treating the bikes well and returning them.
Until designated bike racks are placed on campus, the first eight bikes will be placed across campus. More bikes will be added based on an evaluation of the first year.