Auburn University's War Eagle Bike Share

As it is spring break and the campus is rather empty, I decided today to explore a different technology with a different kind of learning:  our new bike share program.  My colleagues and I turned this into a field triplet.

So, the first big note:  If you are thinking about just walking up to one of the 9 locations or hubs we have on campus and grab a bike for the very first time, you will be in for a disappointment as you do need to take the time to go to
http://gotchabike.com/auburn-university/
and register, including providing a credit card.  For your convenience, you can also download the
Social Bicycles app:  https://app.socialbicycles.com/ to have the map available that shows how many bikes are ready to go at any given location, and it keeps track of where you have gone, and how long you have been on the road.

This is what a hub looks like:

Bike Hub

I noticed that in spite of the large number of bikes, my app told me that only one bike was available. Turns out that all but one bike, when we tried to activate them, showed to be in repair.

When you find a bike in working order, look to the back of the bike where you find the solar panel and a small panel where you can enter your 4 digit code or your account number.

Bike Panel

Now your count down starts on your daily two free hours of biking -- and you have such options as calling in a repair, or holding the bike when you have to park it at a location that is not one of the hubs.  Note that if you go over the two hours, you will be charged $5.00 per hour.

Storing bike lock

Locked Bike

The bikes are locked with a yellow U lock that you put to the side of the bike, and then you are off:  with front and back lights, 3 gears, a little bell, an easy way to adjust the height of the saddle, and a little basket in front for your bag or backpack, you are ready to go.

On the Go

Of course, there are rules to follow, and I think we managed to break them all on our first outing today.

Bike Rules

The Future of the Mell Corridor

Last week, Auburn University hosted an open forum to discuss options for the Mell Corridor.

With the new classroom building scheduled to open for classes in Fall 2017, the 28 classrooms and 2 lecture halls will increase foot traffic by 5500 folks, daily.
What does this mean for traffic in this area?  Right now, Mell is closed off from the entrance to the Quad to Thach Avenue.  The forum discussed some options what this could look like in the near future.

Mell Corridor

Here some of the options discussed:
1.  Resume traffic on Mell
2.  Turn Mell just outside the new classroom building into pedestrian zone, with or without a transit only lane
3.  Turn Mell from the Quad Drive to Thach Avenue into pedestrian zone, with or without a transit only lane
4.  Increase parking around Ross Square
5.  Develop a traffic hammer or circle at the entrance to campus on Thach
6.  Develop a traffic circle on Roosevelt
7.  Add either traffic lights or a roundabout to the Mell/Samford intersection

I think the pedestrian option is the right direction to go in, especially with the increased foot traffic.  Having the transit go through as a one-way-street might help getting students to class on time.  And I am hoping that traffic lights will win over a roundabout, because I just don't see a roundabout working well with pedestrians.
In case you are not familiar with the concept of the roundabout -- you enter and you drive in a circle until you get to your exit. They may cost less than traffic signals but may also need to take up more space.

example of roudabout

What are your thoughts on the Mell Corridor?

For more info:  http://www.auburn.edu/administration/facilities/organization/university-architect/cpsm/mell-corridor-planning/index.html