Don Andrae, manager of Auburn University Parking Services, said Auburn University is bringing a bike-share program to campus that will enable students to borrow a bike for free for 24 hours.
Sean Flood, CEO of the GOTCHA Group, founded the program known as GOTCHA Ride, an on-campus transportation system that allows passengers to tip the driver, according to Andrae.
Andrae said the Gotcha Bike is the first smart bike and has an app available for Android and iOS. The app enables Parking Services and the bike user to monitor the whereabouts of the bike and control lock and unlock functions as well.
"When you download the app, it's going to ask you for who you are, some address information and then it's going to ask you for some credit card information," Andrae said. "At the end of 24 hours, if you have not returned it then there will be an amount of charge. I think, right now, they are setting it maybe $4 a day."
The University will purchase 75 bikes and place them at various locations across campus. The placement of the bikes will enable Parking Services to monitor where the bikes are needed most and increase or decrease the amount of bikes in that area, according to Andrae.
Jennifer Morse, communications and outreach manager for the Office of Sustainability, said the Gotcha Bike is useful for many reasons.
"The Gotcha Bike is good for your personal body, it's healthier, it helps society, as well with issues of obesity," Morse said.
Morse said the program is economically efficient because students are not spending their money on gas and parking permits.
According to Morse, the Office of Sustainability has previously worked on a project known as War Eagle Wheels, a 2013 program that never made it past the development stages.
Andrae said War Eagle Wheels was not able to give a location for the bike, so students did not know where and when the bike was in use.
Andrae said the service is aimed at making commuting for students more efficient.
Daniel McGee, freshman in pharmacy, said the bike will come in handy when he runs into problems with his current bike.
"I know some people who haven't used their bikes because they might have been broken, so they can use it as a replacement," McGee said.
Andrae said the bikes will be ready for use before the end of the year.
"They are going to Germany next month to finalize plans to get the bicycles produced, and I'm hoping no later than mid-June to first of July to get us implemented for fall semester," Andrae said.
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