UWM students can ride Bublr Bikes at no cost to and from campus and around Milwaukee under a new partnership between the Student Association and the fast-growing, local bike-sharing network.
Bublr Bikes allows riders to pick up bicycles — including three unique black-and-gold, UWM-branded models — at one station and drop them off at any other in Milwaukee. UWM is the first university in Milwaukee to partner with the service, providing students with an inexpensive, environmentally friendly way to get downtown.
“Biking is a great way to stretch out your legs, and relieve some stress from classes,” said sophomore Alexandra Rose Christopher-Hayes, who describes herself as an “avid member of the bike community.” “Riding helps you get to know your neighborhood, plus, you can make some great friends going on group bike rides. Biking is a healthy way to keep carbon footprints low and stay pollutant free.”
Bublr Bikes sign-up booths and information will be available at the Parking and Transit office during sign-ups for the M-Card (UPASS) as well as during move-in days at residence halls. For more UWM-related information about Bublr Bikes, visit: https://uwm.edu/parking/
The Student Association worked with UWM’s Office of Sustainability to bring Bublr Bikes to campus, providing $300,000 in student segregated fees. The five-year deal gives UWM students free, 12-month Bublr Passes in the first year and discounted, $20 Bublr Passes in later years.
The passes cover unlimited 60-minute trips during the first year. Trips longer than 60 minutes will be charged at a rate of $3 per additional 30 minutes.
“The Student Association is especially excited to partner with Bublr Bikes to promote innovative, sustainable, and exploratory opportunities for UWM students to go out and explore their city,” SA President Mike Sportiello said. “It’s an incredibly valuable opportunity for students at just a fraction of the going rate for bike-shares across the country.”
Bublr’s stations at UWM will be at Riverview, Cambridge Commons, Kenilworth and Sandburg residence halls, Golda Meier Library and Student Union.
Robert Schneider, an assistant professor in the School of Architecture and Urban Planning, teaches a pedestrian and bicycle-planning course and studies the demand for active transportation. He is among the 6 percent of UWM students, faculty and staff who currently commute by bicycle.
“To be successful, bike sharing has to be competitive relative to other transportation options,” Schneider said. “Bike-share systems have achieved this by making bicycles accessible, reducing worries about bicycle theft, providing a fast way to get to a destination, and being a fun, active way to support a sustainable community.”
UWM employees and neighbors can purchase Bublr Passes for $15 per month.
There are now 75 bike-sharing networks such as Bublr Bikes in the United States and Canada. UWM’s Bublr Bikes stations will bring the total number of Milwaukee bike stations to nearly 30, and Bublr Bikes plans to add at least 20 more early next year, Executive Director Kevin Hardman said.
A not-for-profit, Bublr Bikes is funded through federal and state grants, foundations and private resources. It has more than 200 bikes in use and plans to eventually double that number.
“We’re extremely excited about our partnership with UWM,” Hardman said. “It’s a great urban university and bike sharing will make it easy and convenient for students and staff to travel to campus and around Milwaukee.”
