In a partnership with the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, the University will take part in a bikeshare program beginning this year. The first phase of the program will place 500 bikes for rental to the public spread over 50 locations across downtown Baton Rouge, Southern University and the University campus. 
“Partnering with BRAF to bring a bikeshare program to our campus not only benefits our students but also helps reduce the number of cars on campus, making it safer for pedestrians,”Executive Director of Facility Property and Oversight Tammy Millican said.
The program would see rental kiosks installed around the city where people can pay at the location or use a paid membership to rent a bike to ride. There will be monthly and annual membership options. The annual membership will cost $75 and $45 for University students. 
Founder of the Birmingham, Alabama, Bikeshare Lindsey West said the program entered development at the 2015 conclusion of a study conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency in conjunction with BRAF and the Downtown Development District that concluded the program was feasible. The program is designed to bring business to the city and increase the mobility and bike friendliness of its residents.
West said the University has led the way on this program, making sure the program rolls out correctly. LSU Student Government’s Student Sustainability Fund approved a proposal to fund a design contest for a “unicorn bike” for the program. This bike will be a custom designed, single bicycle that will remain on campus. 
This one-of-a kind bike can be used for promotions and awareness campaigns via “sightings of the unicorn.” As of now, the University has the only unicorn bike in Baton Rouge, but there are options for other groups to design them, West said. 
The program has many potential benefits such as connecting larger sections of the city, promoting health and revitalizing parts of the city that need it. Though many other cities and universities are utilizing Bikeshare, the University is one of the first in the SEC to implement the program. 
“LSU will be one of the leading universities in the SEC in particular,” West said. “You guys are setting yourselves up to be a premier campus.”