LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky is opening up its bike library to students and faculty for the fall semester. Wildcat Wheels provides free bike rentals and repair assistance on campus.

The Wildcat Wheels Bike Library has been around since 2004 helping more than 6,000 students and faculty members a year at the University with bicycle maintenance. This year, the bike library is open on campus but with some changes to their procedures due to COVID-19.

Sandra Broadus, Alternative Transportation Manager says that with the bikes being rented out to multiple students, Wildcat Wheels staff members are cleaning and sanitizing the bikes daily, making sure to disinfect any commonly touched surfaces. In addition to sanitizing the bikes, all workstations and tools are being cleaned and disinfected after each new customer. 

“We have always had a mission to basically get more people riding bikes on campus, it's not only a sustainable way to get around, and a socially distant way to get around, but it's also important because our land resources on UK are so limited,” Broadus said.

To rent a bike or get a bike repair, Broadus is encouraging everyone to call 859-257-2494 to make an appointment ahead of time to help maintain social distancing. 

“We’re at the point now where if too many people try to come in at once we will ask them to wait outside or to potentially come back when we’re a little less busy, ” Broadus said.

The Wildcat Wheels has around 300 bikes available to rent out this fall semester. Students and faculty members are required to wear a mask in and out of the workshop. 

The shop hours for the fall are Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. and Tuesday, Thursday from 4 p.m.-7 p.m.