FAIRBORN, Ohio — Between helping students get to class and giving them a chance to explore Ohio’s nearly 1,200 miles of trails, a bike ride can open a lot of new opportunities. 

What You Need To Know

  • Wright State University Bicycle Library helps everyone ride

  • Students can reserve Trek Hybrid bikes or a Raider Rig

  • The program was years in the making

“This is where we keep our four, four-wheeled electric bicycles as well as our wheelchairs that we play intramural sports with,” said Erin Compaleo as she opened the first door of Wright State University’s Bicycle Library Program storage room. 

Compaleo is the school’s outdoor recreation program manager. 

Inside the first room are the Raider Rigs. They’ve been on campus since November 2022. 

In a second room, they store the standard two-wheeled bikes. 

The Bicycle Library program was actually started a few years ago, but Compaleo realized there was a gap in the programming.

“Students really couldn’t afford their own bikes. We kept getting a lot of requests, like, 'Hey, we want to be part of this bicycle ride — do you have any bikes for us?’ We didn’t at the time,” she said.

When COVID hit, the team started looking for options.

“The supply chain was really tough, and it actually took two years to receive these bikes. So, it’s been several years in the making,” said Compaleo.

Thirteen Trek Hybrid bicycles are ready for a ride. 

For either type of bike, all students have to do is reserve one on the portal.

“I used to love to not only ride the bike, but I just loved to run, especially as a kid in my bare feet,” said student Kacey O’Harra.

Kacey is a senior and studies behavioral neuroscience.

She’s been using a wheelchair for years now, and she’s always up for a ride on the Raider Rigs.

“This is next level. It brings you to another environment with that kind of freeing feeling. I can’t believe how much more fun I’m having just going around campus,” she said.

Kasey lives with a progressive muscle disorder, but she didn’t always use a wheelchair. 

Thanks to the Bicycle Library, she can ride through the woods side-by-side with her friends even if they’re riding the two-wheelers.

“Guests can rent them with us which is great. Some of these people have never been able to ride a bike with their families and it’s just a fun experience to have,” said Kasey.

The Rigs can go up to 12 mph, and two batteries can last up to 30 miles.

For Kasey, even though it’s her senior year, she’s happy to get out on the trails.

“It’s going to be great for a lot of people. Everyone is going to enjoy it,” she said.

After graduation, Kasey plans to study for her Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience. 

The University’s Office of Disability Services purchases the Rigs with nearly $25,000 in grant money from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation National Paralysis Resource Center.