When problems arise for CrimsonBikes users—for example, when two students book the same bike through the CrimsonBikes website or when someone takes the wrong bike—users can call for help.

“It’s more personal. If you have a problem, there are all kinds of numbers you can call,” says Matthew P. O’Leary ’13, who worked as a mechanic for CrimsonBikes over the summer.

According to James, CrimsonBikes had served 1,200 members of the Harvard community before Hubway was launched.

“I think Harvard made the right decision to support Hubway’s move. To be frank though...I’m surprised [the University hasn’t] shown the same kind of support for CrimsonBikes,” James says. “Our program is built to exist without support, but that doesn’t mean we couldn’t take advantage of it.”

When Makani moved from San Francisco to Allston, he decided it would be too costly to bring his own bike. He turned to bike sharing and has now been honored as the Hubway member who has taken the most rides.

“It allowed me to experience the city before school started,” Makani says of Hubway.

Durrant said that in addition to promoting sustainable and inexpensive transportation, he hopes the proliferation of bike sharing stations “will help bring connectivity among Harvard campuses.”

The University plans to create new bike lanes connecting the Boston and Cambridge campuses, according to Harvard’s 2011 Town Gown report published by the Planning and Project Management office.

Even as bike sharing becomes more prevalent on campus, some students will always want their own wheels.

Joey G. Wall ’14, who purchased his bike from Quad Bikes, a student-run shop that operates out of the basement of Cabot House, says, “Having my own bike is a lot easier. I use it almost every day.”

—Staff writer Kerry M. Flynn can be reached at kflynn@college.harvard.edu.

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction.

CORRECTION: March 16

An earlier version of this article said that CrimsonBikes operates two stations. In fact, the student-run bike sharing program has three stations on campus.