Alpharetta Student Will Trade Car For Bike on Campus

A University of Dayton student from Alpharetta will do her part in reducing carbon emissions.

Freshman Meghan Nolan of Alpharetta is pledging to leave their car at home for the first two years on campus and in exchange, the school on Friday gave Nolan a new Linus bicycle at an outdoor festival on campus.

The University of Dayton will give 100 bicycles to incoming first-year students who sign a pledge not to bring a car onto campus during their first two years.

A total of 293 students signed the pledge, and 100 were chosen at random to receive the bikes.

Male students will receive a Linus Roadster Sport and female students will be given the Linus Dutchi 3, all equipped with three-speed shifters and rear carrying racks.

The program is "intended to promote a healthier, greener campus while empowering students to change the world around them through sustainability and responsible stewardship," the institution said in a news release, adding it hopes students will connect with the landscape of the area and take up active lifestyles. 

It's all part of a larger initiative to create a bike-friendly campus and reduce carbon emissions. In 2011, the university launched a bike rental program that has recorded more than 4,500 checkouts, with 3,000 in the last year.

For more information about the program, visit the university's website.

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