Velorution gearing up for second year at RC

Following a successful first year, the Ripon Velorution Program will roll into its second year next fall. As long as students sign the agreement not to bring a car their first year at Ripon, the class of 2013 will be proud recipients of the 2009 Cannondale F7 bike complete with Ripon College logos.

"Trying to make a switch from students bringing cars to bringing bikes is something near and dear to the president's heart," says Ric Damm.

First year students participating in the program have kept up their part of the pledge this year and many plan to ride on two wheels instead of four next year.

"The majority of the students [who received bikes from the college] who answered the survey stated they will not bring a car to campus next fall," says Damm.

The 65 survey responses to the program stated it was a very positive addition to their first year.

The program is adding a new spin this year, switching from Trek mountain bikes to the new Cannondale recreational bike.

"Cannondale approached us. They heard of the program and came to us and said they'd like to be involved in this," says Damm. "They are doing a custom color and paint scheme with our logo on it."

The bike will be better for the majority of students who just use their bikes to run errands or to run to the grocery store on the other side of town. Along with the bike, students will be receiving supplies to assist with their cycling needs.

"We, again, are providing locks and lights," says Damm. "A majority of the students use their locks regularly, with good reason. We're getting the locks for free this year from Planet Bike."

Another change with the incoming class is that they will be responsible for their safety, too.

"We are not giving helmets away," says Damm. "The president is adamant that if you want a bike, you have to show proof that you have a helmet. We are purchasing 200 Ripon College helmets that a company is doing for us."

Some changes are being made to the bikes to avoid problems with this year's models.

"This year we're hopefully correcting the problem with the quick-release seat posts, because you could just pull out the seat," says Damm. "The seat posts will be bolted on."

Other structural issues that occurred to the bikes, such as the crank arm falling off, were corrected through case-by-case issues as soon as they were reported to Damm or the Fond du Lac/ Oshkosh Cyclery.

Despite problems occurring with vandalism and some bikes going missing, students say they were happy with the program.

Although problems began to wane throughout the year, Damm was still disappointed with the disrespectful treatment of some students toward the bikes.

"It's unfortunate. My gut tells me that most of the cases of vandalism were out of jealousy of upperclassmen who couldn't participate," says Damm.

With the new portions of the program set up to curb the problems, fans of the program are continuing their involvement as the program rides on again for a second year.

"People are continuing to support the program," says Damm. "We wouldn't be doing it again if we didn't have the support of trustees and alumni to help cover the costs."

When it comes to costs, Damm accurately states that despite whatever the program runs, the benefits for students and the college vastly overpower any monitary amount.

"The number of admission inquiries spiked dramatically, and I think part of that is just due to the program," says Damm. "It seems to make sense that all of the publicity we received from this program would correlate to the increase in inquiries."

While it would be greatly difficult to see if students came to campus because of the Velorution program, the attention through USA Today and the New York Times helps foster better relations for the college on a national scale.

"There's no way we could have paid any amount for the publicity and press we received," says Damm. "Basically, that was a secondary advantage, it was not the intent of the program.