For many years, Carls had at their disposal free communal bicycles that student volunteers collected, refurbished, and painted yellow.
Unfortunately, the Yellow Bike Club’s dwindling membership couldn’t keep up with repairs, which led to the program’s demise in 2011.
But as of last fall, bike sharing is back. The Carleton Student Association installed two bike stations on campus, operated by bike-sharing company Zagster, that offer cruising bikes with baskets and built-in locks. Students—and faculty and staff members—can check out bikes via mobile app or text message. Bikes are free for the first four hours, and three dollars an hour after that, which keeps users accountable for returning the bicycles and treating them well.