VeoRide bike share possibly coming to Utah State University
If the contracts are approved, Utah State University and Logan may be getting a new bike share program – only this time, the bikes are bright turquoise.
Margaret McCarthy, Aggie Blue Bikes program coordinator, said the potential partnership with bike share company VeoRide is intended to be more long-term than the program USU implemented with Spin, which was terminated about three months after it started. If passed, the VeoRide contract would last three years, McCarthy said.
“They seem very willing to be a partner in the community,” McCarthy said. Unlike Spin, which partnered with local bike shop Joy Ride, VeoRide would hire its own general manager and staff to operate. McCarthy said the bicycles are also better quality. The company offers electric assist bikes and e-scooters in addition its traditional bicycles.
However, VeoRide’s contracts both with the city and the university have yet to be approved.
McCarthy said a VeoRide representative came to Logan last October. The contract was signed by representatives from Aggie Blue Bikes and then went through a departmentmental review in which Utah State University Student Association President Jaren Hunsaker. Vice President of Student Affairs James Morales approved the program as well.
Next, the contract must undergo a university review. USU purchasing agent Robert Kekauoha said he received the contract Dec. 20, 2018. It will then go to Dave Cowley, university CFO, whom Kekauoha said would be the final signature needed to pass.
Kekauoha said there are a lot of risks involved with a bike share program. “If we sign, we are liable on behalf of the students. Our concerns are for the safety of the students, university property and the product itself,” Kekauoha said.
Still, Kekauoha is hoping the program succeeds. “I love this program, and I would like to see it come to fruition, on campus or throughout Logan,” he said. “It’s good for our university to work with the city.”
Before approval, the VeoRide contract must be reviewed by the Utah State University Physical Resources Planning Committee. This year’s committee includes Executive VP and Provost Frank Galey, who serves as the committee chair, and representatives from university finance, facilities, president’s office, provost’s office, public safety, transportation, athletics, all the college deans and the USUSA president, Jaren Hunsaker.
Hunsaker confirmed Sunday that the committee had not yet discussed the program.
“Hopefully it will go through, but I feel really stuck,” McCarthy said. “It’s really frustrating. The data speaks for itself – students liked bike share, and it’s a great answer to our air quality.”
Even if the program is not approved by the university, McCarthy expects the city will partner with VeoRide.
—naomiyokoward@aggiemail.usu.edu