UNIV. OF OREGON STUDENT HONORED FOR BIKE LOAN PROGRAM

Briana Orr, an environmental studies and planning, public policy and management major at the University of Oregon, will receive the 2009 Faith Gabelnick Student Leadership Award at the Oregon Civic Engagement Awards next week in Portland, Oregon. Orr started the UO Bike Loan program, a unique twist on the familiar model of free-bike programs.

"Briana's program is a phenomenal example of how to take bicycles discarded by departing students and turn them around as long-term loans to students," said Marc Schlossberg, an Associate Professor in the University of Oregon's Planning, Public Policy, and Management Department.

Orr's program is a simple model that can be easily replicated in other locales. For $65, a student gets a bike, a helmet, a lock, and a bike basket. The full $65 is returned at the end of the year if all of the equipment is returned.

"The program began this year and has been a real success, with a long waiting list of people who want a bike," said Schlossberg. " In its first year, the program focused on international students as a pilot since they tend to live close to campus and don't bring vehicles with them. Brilliant!"

An article about Orr's work appeared in the April 14th issue of the UO Daily Emerald: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/c8ep2o">http://tinyurl.com/c8ep2o</a>;