Save on gas, get exercise, and avoid searching for a parking spot by borrowing a bike from Campus Parking Services. The Borrow a Bike program offers a socially responsible, environmentally sustainable alternative for getting where you need to go on campus.
NIU Campus Parking Services’ Borrow a Bike program began in January 2007, with a fleet of 10 bikes. Though modest at its inception, the fleet has continued to grow to over 80 bikes. Of these bikes, 20 were given to the program through a grant from the Working Bikes Cooperative in Chicago in March 2008. In March and April of 2008, 50 new Sun Atlas cruisers were added to the fleet. Plans are in store to add more Atlas cruisers in the near future.
Students, faculty and staff with an NIU OneCard can check out a bike through the Borrow a Bike program at no cost. To borrow a bike, bring your OneCard to the Campus Parking Services office during regular business hours (7:30am to 4:30pm), complete a bike loan form, and choose a bike from our selection of over 80 new and vintage bikes. We offer a wide range of bikes in several different sizes, including cruisers, mountain bikes and road bikes.
A lock and an optional helmet are furnished with each bike. Bikes and equipment may be borrowed for up to two weeks and can be renewed for an indefinite period of time at the end of the loan period. Equipment can be returned to or renewed at the Campus Parking Services office during normal business hours (7:45am to 4:30pm). A borrower will be charged for any equipment that is returned in damaged condition or is not returned at all.
With over 75 bike racks on campus, cyclists have endless options for parking their bikes on campus. Most buildings on campus have at least one bike rack.
The Illinois State Police maintain an excellent resource for cyclists, providing safety tips, rules of the road and bike maintenance information. It is a great website to consult before our after you check out your bike.
Click on these links to read articles about the Borrow a Bike program.
“Colleges Peddle Bikes to Car-loving Students” Washington Post , August 10, 2008
“Students Borrowing More Bikes Through Program” NIU Northern Star, April 17, 2008
“Bike Sharing Program Gaining Traction” NIU Northern Star, August 29, 2007
The Borrow a Bike program has benefited greatly from the generosity of the community. Donations from organizations and individuals have helped our program keep up with the demand for bikes and have advanced our mission to breathe new life into old bicycles. We accept any donated adult bikes in any condition. To donate a bike to be used in our program, simply bring it in to Campus Parking Services’ office at 121 Normal Road, DeKalb, IL.
For more information, call (815) 753-1045 or email parking@niu.edu.