Sharks often have a difficult time traveling on land. To help NSU students get around and stay active, NSU Recreation and Wellness opened the free bike rental program Sharks on Wheels on Oct. 17.
With a valid SharkCard, students can rent a beach cruiser bike, helmet and bike lock from the RecPlex during normal operating hours. Rented bikes can only be used on campus and must be returned 30 minutes before the RecPlex closes. There are currently three bikes available for rental.
Marcela Sandigo, associate director for programs in Recreation and Wellness, said that Sharks on Wheels is a different way for students to stay active.
“We have this beautiful facility [the RecPlex] with exercise equipment and group exercise and the more traditional ways to stay active,” Sandigo said. “But we want students to know that a gym isn’t the only place to be active. This is a way for them to move around campus.”
Emily Powell, wellness coordinator, came up with the idea for Sharks on Wheels. She said that she came to Sandigo at the beginning of the year with the idea and that the program combines wellness and outdoor adventure. Powell said that she and Sandigo modeled Sharks on Wheels after bike rental programs on other campuses like FIU.
“We were looking to grow the wellness aspect,” Powell said. “Our other supervisor wanted to start doing rental equipment, so this was a good way to transition into a new program and renting equipment.”
Powell said that if the rentals go smoothly and the program gets good feedback, Recreation and Wellness will consider buying more bikes.
“We wanted to test [the program] out and see what the interest is, if students are interested, because it wouldn’t be worth it for us to buy all these bikes and have them just sit there,” Sandigo explained. “Better to start small and then grow.”
If the first semester of Sharks on Wheels goes well, Powell and Sandigo said that the RecPlex may look into renting out other types of recreational equipment, like kayaks, paddleboards and tents, as well as more bikes and bike equipment like lights and fenders.
Sandigo said she hopes people use the bikes.
“We feel like it’s a really good way to get around campus,” she said. “Our main goal is to promote wellness and activity.”
Students will be held responsible for bikes they rent out. They will be charged a $275 replacement fee for the bike if it is not returned within a day after the rental period ends and could be charged $75 if they return the bike after the RecPlex closes. Students will also be charged if the bike is damaged while in their possession.
For more information about the program, visit rec.nova.edu/sharks_on_wheels.html or contact Sandigo at pmarcela@nova.edu or 954-262-7018.
Credit: L. Vergara
Caption: Sharks can rent bikes from the RecPlex to ride around campus.
