University of Louisville
IN-1: Innovation 1

In August 2012, the University of Louisville launched a new Earn-A-Bike program as part of our Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to encourage students and employees to use bicycles for transportation. The goals of this program include: - Reducing the vehicle miles traveled to campus (and associated pollution); - Reducing the number of vehicles that must be parked on and around campus; - Increasing health and activity levels within the UofL community; - Saving money you would otherwise spend on gas, parking, and other automobile expenses; - Reducing traffic congestion; and - Rewarding individuals for not driving to campus. UofL’s Sustainability Council has an annual budget of $175,000 for this program. Each August, the program offers a limited number of bike shop vouchers worth up to $400 to students, faculty, and staff who are willing to forgo a UofL parking permit for at least two years and to seek alternative means of getting to campus other than driving. Everyone coming to UofL is encouraged to consider walking, bicycling, taking the TARC bus (free with UofL ID!), or carpooling. To be eligible, you must have a valid UofL ID number and must indicate an understanding that if your application is accepted for this program, you will have to turn in any current UofL parking permits and you will not be able to purchase any UofL parking permits for the next two years. Once the deadline for application has passed each year, vouchers are distributed to eligible applicants in order of priority until funds are exhausted. To help focus the program on changing behavior, top priority is given to current UofL parking permit holders, then former UofL parking permit holders, then all others. Former program beneficiaries are given lowest priority. Date of application is the final determinant of priority. How the Program Works: - Those students, faculty and staff who qualify and are selected will be notified by email just after the application deadline that they are eligible to pick up a voucher worth up to $400 (sales tax-exempt), to be used at designated local bike shops. - Each voucher is intended to cover the costs of a solid, basic commuter bicycle, helmet and U-lock, but could be used to purchase any bicycling-related products or services offered by the vendors. Get a new bike, or fix-up and equip the one you have for year-round commuting with fenders, lights, baskets, racks, pannier bags, a pump, maintenance tools, lubricant, spare parts, tubes and tire liners, etc. - Vouchers expire within three months of issue. - Voucher users may choose to spend additional personal funds, or to not redeem the full amount of the voucher. - Each voucher may only be used for one transaction at one bike shop. - Vouchers may not be combined because the goal is to get more people on bikes. - No change or gift cards will be issued. Any unused portion of the $400 value of the voucher will remain undisbursed and the university will use these funds for other related programs. - If lost, vouchers cannot be replaced. Treat them like cash. - You must present your UofL ID and submit your voucher to the bike shop at the time of purchase. - To pick up their vouchers, accepted applicants MUST attend one of several one-hour orientation and safety sessions. A complete schedule and link to register for these sessions is sent with the program acceptance email. Sessions are available at a variety of times and days of the week on both Belknap campus and the Health Sciences Center.