Sign up Today for a Free Bike

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 13, 2024) – The University of Kentucky Transportation Services is all set to roll out two distinct programs, both offering free bikes to students for an entire year or a semester.

Big Blue Cycles Offering a Free Bike for a Year

The Big Blue Cycles program is designed primarily to support the student body residing on campus. It encourages a car-free lifestyle by issuing over 150 bicycles to selected applicants who are ready to make such a commitment. The bikes, equipped with eight-speed settings, fenders, a lock, a helpful bell, and an optional helmet, are to be used throughout the entire academic year. Students living on campus and signing a one-year no-car pledge are eligible to apply. Applications are open until Friday, August 16, 2024.

This initiative is part of the larger Wildcat Wheels Bicycle Library (WWBL) project, a free bike repair shop available on campus. If applications exceed the available number of bikes, a lottery will assign the bikes randomly. Those who held a parking permit in the previous year will receive priority. Before receiving their bike, all participants must undertake a one-hour safety orientation offered by Wildcat Wheels.

Fall Semester Bike Lottery

A second, equally exciting Fall 2024 Semester Bike Lottery is available to not only the students but also to the staff and faculty members of UK. With 100 bicycles at its disposal, the WWBL chooses lucky winners through a random lottery due to high demand. The application deadline is also Friday, August 16, 2024.

Apart from these two initiatives, the WWBL also allows weekly free bike check-outs for students and employees. In addition, departmental bikes are available as part of the WWBL services.

About the Wildcat Wheels Bicycle Library

Located on the first floor of Blazer Dining, the Wildcat Wheels provides free education on bike maintenance and repairs for the campus community. The project is funded by UK Transportation Services. For the latest bike-related news on campus, interested individuals can follow Transportation Services on X @UKParking and like Wildcat Wheels on Facebook.

As the foremost public land-grant university in the state, the University of Kentucky aims to propel the Commonwealth. Through the schemes such as these, it fosters pioneering leaders, transforming the lives of the Kentucky people via education, creativity, service, and health care. In 2022, UK was declared one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” by Forbes, endorsing its dedication to the cause of uplifting Kentucky and enabling an inclusive environment for everyone. It remains a luminary of service to our Commonwealth and the world.

Media Inquiry

For more information, contact Ryan Girves at ryan.girves@uky.edu or call 859-323-8464.