By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – A long-awaited dream became a reality as the University of Montevallo and the City of Montevallo kicked off the ValloCycle bike share program during UM’s Founder’s Day celebration Oct. 13.

“Last year, when (these students) came into my office with a petition, it got me thinking. I’m a preservationist, but sometimes the business of the university gets in the way and I need to be reminded of that,” UM President Dr. John Stewart said.

“This is leadership. It’s what Montevallo is about — this is true leadership,” he added.

Montevallo Mayor Ben McCrory said the project united the city, university and students, and he expects the bike share program will go “long and wide” with the town and school united behind it.

UM professor and Montevallo Councilmember Hollie Cost called the program a “perfect example” of what can happen when the university and city come together.

Cost for program membership is $25 per year or 25 service hours. Participants may keep a bicycle for seven days before returning it to Parnell Memorial Library, UM’s Carmichael Library or the Montevallo Police Department.

The program boasts a number of Regions Bank green bicycles, as well as more than 30 additional bicycles donated by community members and refurbished by the ValloCycle team. The program will also offer children’s bikes, which “makes our program unique,” Cost said.

UM student Aaron Traywick led the program ribbon cutting and kick off with a bike tour around Montevallo’s sustainable projects, including UM’s organic community garden.

For more information about the program and membership, visit Vallocycle.com.