In an effort to "Be (more) Spartan Green,” the MSU Physical Plant looks to its bike fleet as an alternative form of transportation.

The bike fleet has been active for years, but the movement for green energy has brought it renewed attention. Jim Fashbaugh, service manager III, confirmed that the MSU Physical Plant bike fleet has 17 bikes altogether and is the largest bike fleet on campus. Of that, six bikes are regularly assigned to full-time employees for their everyday use.

“Not only is the bike fleet an eco-friendly form of transportation, but the fleet offers a chance for employees to improve their health and altogether reduces company expenses,” explained Director of Building Services (and bike guru) Gus Gosselin.

Gosselin has been riding bikes for years to and from work and encourages others to ride to meetings and other work functions on campus. He said riding a bike on MSU’s campus can be much faster than driving a car. By the time a driver walks to a car, drives to a destination across campus and finds a new parking spot, the biker could be in the meeting room waiting for the driver.

Staff members are able to check out a bike from the Phys Plant's bike fleet by going to the Key Shop and filing out a "sign out" sheet, just as when they check out a Phys Plant vehicle. Staffers receive a key, which unlocks the bike's lock and will enable them to lock up the bike around campus. Employees then simply return the bike lock key to the Key Shop when they are finished using it for the day.

The MSU Physical Plant bike fleet offers a great way for Phys Plant employees to do their part in keeping the campus “green” and to stay in great shape while doing it.

June 4, 2009