Bribing Undergrads, Green Style

Posted by admin on 02.15.2008 at 9:20 am

At Ripon College in Wisconsin they’re afraid of having to expand parking structures into their green space.  But rather than punish people who bring cars, their incentivizing the system: Any first-year who says they won’t bring their car for the year gets a free Trek mountain bike with helmet and lock, a $400 value(!)

A la the AP:

“Friends, trustees and alumni donated about $60,000 to buy 200 bicycles to give away to an expected 300 incoming freshmen, said Cody Pinkston, a spokesman for the school.

Historically, about 100 freshman arrive without cars, so accepting the bike will be a “no-brainer” for them, he said.

‘There is not a strong bicycle culture here with students. That is what we are trying to engender.’”

| Tagged Uncategorized, off-topic, Ripon College, Wisconsin