UBikes has partnered with Brilliant Bikes to expand their fleet and bring new means of transportation to campus.
UBikes is and on-campus business that started in November 2014 as a Wildcat Ventures company that only had seven bikes. Now UBikes has a full fleet of 21 bikes with plans to grow in the near future.
David Guinn, a 2015 graduate from Graham, originally started UBikes with the hopes of providing students with a cost-effective and reliable means of transportation, reducing on campus traffic and promoting sustainability and fitness for ACU students.
UBikes began looking for a bike company to partner with in order to expand and differentiate their product line. After reaching out to several companies, Brilliant Bikes was a reliable business that supplied bikes that would catch peoples attention.
“After talking with a couple different companies about bike specifications, shipping and manufacturing cost as well as getting to know some of the employees, Brilliant Bikes really secured our decision to invest,” said Erick Koster. “It was a good looking bike that that we knew people would love.”
Koster, a senior marketing major from San Antonio, said his main goal was to invest in bikes that are not only reliable but people enjoy riding. One bike in particular that has recently been added to the fleet is the Astor.
“It is a beautiful city bike, perfect for commuting to and from class or work,” Koster said. “It holds an internally geared three-speed hub system, so you can get up hills and pound the pedals when you are late to class.”
UBikes carries two other types of bikes as well. Both are Treks, one being a mountain bike and the other a comfort cruiser, more suited for riding around on campus.
The Astor is a semester-long rental only, and as a pre order, you can choose your color preference as well. All other bikes can be rented year-round from the Money Student Recreation and Wellness center from an hour up to a semester.
“I am very pleased in the direction UBikes is going in,” Guinn said. “Looking back I think UBikes has been successful in doing this so far, and I’m really excited to see what else it can accomplish in the future.”
