Contact: Kenneth Billings
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State should be a bit "greener," healthier and less traffic congested after next month.
The university is implementing a bicycle fleet program. Available for free campus use by students, faculty and staff, 100 two-wheelers will be spread among various locations.
"This program will be a great benefit to everyone," said Interim President Vance Watson. "Biking is an excellent way to improve physical fitness, create a 'greener' environment and help reduce vehicle traffic. We are very proud to be able to do this for the campus community."
Thomas Bourgeois said each vehicle--painted maroon-and-white, of course, and featuring an MSU logo--will be registered with the parking services department and have a registration sticker that includes a phone number for reporting problems or maintenance issues.
"Basically, they will be available for any student, faculty or staff member to use while on campus," the assistant dean of students said. "This is something we've wanted to do for a while.
"We have seen it successfully implemented in other places and we thank Dr. Watson for supporting our efforts to introduce the program here," he added.
Officials have called the new bicycle program a natural fit for a campus master plan that seeks, among other things, to ease vehicular congestion through the university shuttle system and increased cycle and foot traffic. The plan also proposes construction of additional bike paths and a shift of motorized vehicle traffic away from the pedestrian-heavy center of campus.
Beyond campus, Starkville in Motion, a community organization that encourages cycling and walking, recently secured federal, state and local funding for a 2.2-mile multi-use path that will connect the university with the western part of the Oktibbeha County seat.
NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For additional information, contact Dr. Bourgeois at 662-325-3611.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.