UCSA model could be adopted at Massey?

The Bikes at Massey team have been exploring different models of bike sharing in New Zealand. So far they have come across two models that could be adopted by Massey for the students:

1. UCSA borrow-a-bike
With a fleet of 10 bikes the students' association at the University of Canterbury have a system to allow students come borrow bikes from them for the day until 5pm. The main takings from discussions with UCSA is:

• Students use the bikes to get between the two campuses to get to and from lectures, or head home for lunch.
• They would buy the same bike again, as the bike needs to be robust.
• They won’t let the bikes be taken home at night for fear of damage or theft.
• There is no charge for the usage of the bikes.
• Bikes getting stolen are a big problem on campuses, which means you don’t want anything fancy – ugly and sturdy.
• They started with recycled bikes, but the maintenance required to keep them running was too intense. Instead they purchased the new bikes to bring down maintenance costs.
• They have a fleet of 10 bikes, but ideally 15 would be great as often several are out of action at once (for 14,000 students on their campus).
• $300 worth of maintenance a month done on the bikes.
• Batch maintenance is done to keep down costs.
  

• Students can hire the bikes between 8.30 to 4.30pm mon – Fri  no overnight or weekend hire
  
• They complete the a form &  leave their student ID cards with USCA until they return with their helmet & key.
  
• They are so popular some days the same bike goes in & out 3 times.
  

2. Next bikes (bike sharing system, use in Christchurch & Auckland)
This is a bike sharing system where there is scalability of technology for the system depending on the budget of the provider. The renting by the bike users would be done via Next bike app or phone centres, which will allow students to unlock bikes from certain locations on the campus. 
Main takings from Next Bike:

• Could use a sponsor to fund the bikes (have their branding on the bikes)
• There is a rental agreement between the user and Next Bike which will, depending on who is doing maintenance, will cover all parties.
  
• Because our campus and fleet is small we would most likely be in charge of maintaining the bikes.
  
• Helmets are said to be sanitised by the sun (UV) and the rain. Chained up with bike, also there can be disinfectant spray
  
• They suggested to have 2 rental stations, with 6 slots, on Massey's campus with 4 bikes on each.
  
• With this system you can have a free riding periods — was suggested for Massey's system 2hrs free would be best as this will foster shorter trips, the bikes will then get used by more people.
  

Next steps for Bikes at Massey
Next the project participants will be sending out a survey to students in the first week of semester break to gather data on how will the bikes be used, what for, what height the riders will be, and if Massey students are interested in seeing this implemented on the campus.