MU’s bike sharing program, which was previously looking to use bikes from the MU Surplus Property Warehouse, is now working on purchasing industrial strength bikes instead.

The Missouri Students Association and the Residence Halls Association have been collaborating to start the bike share program since September of last year.

The program was originally planning on taking two to three bikes a month from the Surplus Warehouse, slowly gathering enough bikes for an effective sharing program. MSA and RHA had talked with the Surplus Property Warehouse about a free loan for the bikes.

Although that loan did work out, MSA and RHA decided purchasing its own bicycles would be more beneficial in the long run for the program.

MSA’s Student Affairs committee chairman Tyler Ricketts said the change of plans came about because it would be difficult to maintain several bikes of different brands and styles.

“If we bought bikes of all the same type from a company, it would allow us to have consistent parts and consistent maintenance and upkeep,” he said.

RHA President Chris Rucker said the bikes MSA and RHA are looking at are sturdier, more industrial grade bicycles.

Although no plans have been finalized, Ricketts said they are looking into buying from Worksman Cycles, which has a plan designed for campus bike share programs.

According to Worksman Cycles’ website, its Bike Share and Green Campus Program is the answer to on-campus parking problems and a way to promote a healthy life style.

The final cost of the bicycles is still uncertain because it depends on the model and number of bikes the bike share program decides to purchase, Ricketts said.

Ricketts also said because the program is no longer getting its bikes through a free loan, the cost of the program will increase.

He could not comment on where the program’s extra funding will come from definitively, but Ricketts said they are looking into whether other departments would be willing to contribute funds.

RHA has already committed to covering the bike locks for the program, Ricketts said.

As for when the program will actually start, Ricketts said MSA and RHA are focusing on this semester.

“We are hoping to have significant progress by the end of the semester,” he said. “If that means we launch on March 1, that’s great.”