Florida Atlantic University's bike-sharing program was a simple, even utopian, plan.

Instead of chugging to a building on the other side of campus in a four-wheel global warmer, hop on a free community bicycle and pedal to class.

Unfortunately, some people kept right on pedaling.

With no locks - the Green Bike system operated on an honor code - it wasn't long before there were also no bikes.

"They were done, it worked, and they got stolen," said Alexander Van Mecl, a 19-year-old student on FAU's sustainability committee. "You can think of hundreds of different scenarios as to why we don't have the bikes anymore. Kind of a depressing story."

The program, which was student initiated, began in the fall with six bicycles painted a fluorescent green to signify their use as community bikes. The bikes were either donated to the program, or had been abandoned.

It's unclear how long they remained in mass circulation on the Boca Raton campus, but the sustainability committee isn't giving up on the idea.

Van Mecl, who started the Mission Green Student Association at FAU, said they're discussing now how to make the program successful, and hope to start publicizing a renewed effort in community bike-sharing at the beginning of the spring semester.

There's nothing "sustainable" about open access bicycle programs. Source.