Westwood is the latest area to introduce smart bikes.
Following in the footsteps – or rather pedal power – of nearby services in Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, earlier this month, UCLA launched its very own bike share system, simply called Bruin Bike Share.
UCLA is the first university in Southern California to employ a smart bike-share system.
The program has launched with 130 bicycles and 18 different hubs (14 on campus and four in Westwood Village), where you can pick up or drop off your two-wheeler. You can also leave the bike near a hub but you’ll be charged an extra $2 if you do so.
The smart bikes are a distinctive powder-blue color, come with eight speeds, a built in lock, a bell, a basket and front and back lights.
In a statement, UCLA said while its bike share program is currently not connected to nearby cities’ program, “UCLA is coordinating with [Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and West Hollywood] to create a seamless regional bike-share system by early 2018.”
It costs $7 per hour to rent one of the bicycles. However, if you take out an annual members it’s $69, which includes 90 minutes per day of cycling. For those affiliated with UCLA, the annual membership is only $60 per year.
A monthly membership will set you back $25 (also with 90 free minutes per day). However, it’s only $7 per month if you are a UCLA affiliate.
“Bike sharing offers convenient mobility for everyone, whether it’s midday trips to Westwood Village, or a fun and easy way to zip away to class,” said Renée Fortier, executive director of UCLA Events and Transportation. “It encourages our campus community to get out of their cars and to be physically active.”
UCLA has already been designated a Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists.
UCLA is also working with CycleHop, which installed the Bruin Bike Share system and will operate and maintain it. CycleHop’s technology partner, Social Bikes Inc., provided the bikes and station equipment. Social Bikes uses GPS and wireless technology to provide real-time information about remaining rental time, distance traveled, and bike and hub availability.
