As a student participating in Fresno State̢۪s Red Bike Program, Jagadeesh Kondapaneni becomes one less person to compete with for a parking spot.

“This program is very good,� said Kondapaneni, 21, an international student from India. “I heard about it through friends and decided to try it out.�

The program has been well-received by students and faculty alike, oftentimes running out of available bikes during the first two weeks of each semester.

“We’re always looking for alternative ways for students to get to and around campus,� said Amy Armstrong, the public information officer for the University Police Department at Fresno State.

The department started the program in spring 2001 and currently more than 600 students and staff have participated.

The majority of the participants are international students who the department targets during orientation. Armstrong said because these students often have no access to a car, they take advantage of the low cost and ease of using a bike to get around campus.

“This program has helped me because I don’t have any other transportation right now,� Kondapaneni said.

To get a hold of a red bike, the process is quick and simple.

First, go to the University Parking office located on the lower level of the University Student Union Pavilion and ask to be a part of the Red Bike Program.

Students must also sign a contract assuming full responsibility of the bike.

There is also a required first time fee of $20, which covers the $15 deposit and $5 rental fee. For each continuous semester there will be an additional $5 fee per semester.

Once people have been issued bikes, they can keep renting it as they need it. The summer season is included in the spring semester fee.

Once a bike is returned, the person is refunded the initial deposit payment.

The fee also includes a key and kryptonite U-lock, which if done properly, prevents anyone from stealing the bike.

In cases where the bike does get stolen, the university licenses all the bikes in the program — allowing the campus police to track each individual bike. As long as a police report is filed, another bike will be issued. However, the initial deposit will be lost.

Also, whenever a student may be troubled with bike problems, the department takes care of all general maintenance.

Armstrong said there are two “bike techs� on hand for any student needing repairs for anything ranging from a flat tire to a broken chain. All repairs are free of charge.

Because of the low cost of the program, not enough funds provide new bikes. The result is an inventory of bikes that are a bit outdated and sometimes tough to handle.

“You can see that not everyone likes the bikes,� Kondpaneni said. “[The bikes] don’t have brakes. It’s tough to stop.�

Manasa Mangu, 22, agrees about the downside of the condition the bikes are in.

“We have to stop at every traffic signal,� Mangu said. “We have to pedal in reverse to stop each time.�

Despite the lack of hand brakes, students still flock to the program because of the need for alternate transportation and its other advantages.

“You can ride anywhere, even on the sidewalks. Because the campus is so spread out, you can get from point A to point B quickly. You’re also helping the environment, getting exercise and it’s a wellness activity,� Armstrong said.