By Immaculate Bazira, Kalendera Ritah, and Nakalyango Nashiba
Thankfully, for the community, Makerere University has continued to exhibit a pioneer spirit for services responsive to various needs through innovative teaching, learning and research. As such, the university in partnership with Star Digital Bikes introduced bicycles to ease movement on the hill and promote exercise while sustaining the environment.
It is upon this background that nine stations with at least 10 bicycles were established in March 2023. These stations are situated at five halls of residence namely, Mitchell, Livingstone, Africa, University Hall, and Mary Stuart. Two other stations can be found at the swimming pool and at the College of Engineering Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT).
A student being assisted by a station manager to order a bike at the swimming pool docking station.
The Human Resource Manager for Star Digital Bikes, Florence Wotali, informed The Legacy that free training has been scheduled every Friday at Africa Hall to interest more students in riding.
There are also plans to cater for the students with disabilities.
“We are even thinking of getting bikes for People with Disabilities (PWDs) as well as moving the initiative to other institutions around the country,” Wotali noted.
When asked about the requirements for students and staff to access a bike, she explained that an interested user must first download the Digital Bikes App from the Google Play Store, input the required information then approach any station within the university with one’s student or national identification card.
After that, one pays Shs. 500 to ride a bike for 20 minutes and Shs. 1,500 for an hour.
Sophie Kituyi, a fourth-year Civil Engineering student, applauded the university for this innovation.
“The unique quality of Digital Bikes Services is that they provide instructors to learners free of charge. I now have something to do in my free time,” she said.
Kituyi Sophie riding a bike near the main gate roundabout.
Twinomujuni Robert, a student of Quantitative Economics at the College of Business and Management Sciences (COBAMS) commended this form of mobility by highlighting its affordability and timeliness. He however, suggested that the bikes be available on weekends as some students have classes or even exams.
Makerere joins other top universities like Princeton, Stanford and Harvard in the US that have embraced bicycles to reduce carbon emissions.
Related News
Please join hands with the Makerere University Endowment Fund as it works towards attracting & retaining the best faculty, providing scholarships, and investing in cutting-edge research and technology.