I talked today with Steve Sanders, the University of Minnesota Bicycle Coordinator and learned a few things:
The new Bike Center is under construction in the Oak Street Ramp. The center, operated by the Hub Bike Coop, will feature secure parking, showers, bike maintenance, sales of commuter-related bike stuff, but (probably) no bikes for sale. They are building a conference room for meetings and classes and expect to use it for League of American Bicyclists Rider Training and bike maintenance classes. If all goes well, it should be open by the time school starts in the fall, with an official Grand Opening sometime after that.
The Dero Zap RFID system is expanding from the single test reader to a total of 17 readers on the East and West Banks and in St. Paul. St. Paul has three now and will have a total of five. A separate reader on the University Transitway will also count University riders. The University Wellness program will be revamping their system for the fall and will be giving "points" for various healthy activities, including bicycle commuting. These points will turn into discounts on health insurance premiums.
NiceRide is expanding: In mid-August NiceRide will install three NiceRide kiosks on the St. Paul campus. They should be on the map soon.
