Due to staffing shortages and safety concerns, TAPS is unable to offer a spring quarter Bike Library program. In light of the pending e-bike share system launch this summer, TAPS will reevaluate the need for the Bike Library for the upcoming fall quarter.
We anticipate that the heavily-subsidized e-bike share membership program will provide a better experience and more equitable opportunity for affiliates as there will be more, and better-maintained bikes available to all. We anticipate that active students will be eligible for an annual membership for $12/year and employees will be eligible for an annual membership for $59/year (full-price membership start at $150/year). Affiliate memberships include unlimited 60 minute rides.
For historical context, the Bike Library started in 2008 as a student-run initiative that was independent of TAPS. After a few years, the program grew to a point where students were not able to manage it and the founders graduated. TAPS has sponsored the program for over a decade to ensure consistency and continuity. At this time, the bikes are reaching the end of their useful life and require significant maintenance. The students who were hired to run the program stepped down in order to focus on their studies, and TAPS currently does not have the resources to effectively run the Bike Library. In the absence of quarterly maintenance and replacing parts, the program is not able to safely continue under the current operations model.
Affiliates can check the UCSC Bike Co-op and Slug Bike Life's mechanic checks for help maintaining or repairing their bikes. The Bike Church of Santa Cruz is also a helpful resource for sourcing discounted used bikes.
We are grateful to everyone that has contributed to this community program over the last 15 years. Subscribe to Slugs on the Move for more exciting details about the e-bike share program. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions.
