CSU bike-sharing shows early impact in cutting carbon emissions

Caraga State University (CSU) has recorded remarkable environmental and mobility benefits just weeks after launching its campus-wide bike-sharing system under the University Sustainable Mobility Program (USMP), in partnership with iKilos Bayugan's PadyaKalikasan initiative. From February 4 to April 7, the program logged 906 rides on campus bicycles, translating to over 900 hours of travel. These efforts have resulted in the avoidance of 36 liters of gasoline consumption and approximately 0.0845 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, a strong indicator of the project's contribution to a cleaner, greener campus. The initiative forms part of CSU's broader climate action and sustainability goals. The program seeks to reduce reliance on motorized vehicles and promote active mobility within the university by offering students and staff an eco-friendly and cost-effective transport alternative and for leisure. The data used for the evaluation was adapted from the Mobility Awards 2024 Bicycle Count Report, a recognized benchmark in urban mobility tracking. The system’s revenue is reinvested in maintenance and repair of the fleet, ensuring the sustainability of the service in the long term. The partnership with iKilos Bayugan, particularly its PadyaKalikasan movement, has also brought community engagement into the spotlight — emphasizing that environmental responsibility is both a local and collective duty. With sustainability gaining momentum in academic institutions, CSU's proactive approach through USMP could serve as a model for other campuses across the region looking to implement eco-friendly transportation systems.