Brian Loring is the volunteer manager of the newest library in town: The Iowa City Bike Library.

"The goal was to bring bicycles to low-income children," Loring said. "It grew into a larger concept. We want to bring bikes to anyone who needs one."

The Iowa City Bike Library started about two years ago, initially operating out of the Iowa City Farmer's Market.

How it works: With a deposit (based upon the quality and durability of the bike), a bike and helmet can be checked out for one year. A bike can be kept by forfeiting one's deposit. All sorts of makes and styles of bicycles are available, ranging from children's to mountain bikes.

Loring worked with the City of Iowa City to free up the old John Wilson's Sports building at 408 E. College St., giving his fledgling operation a storefront in June 2005. Since then, the bike library, a volunteer-run enterprise, has seen great community support.

About 80 bikes were donated last year. Loring expects that number to increase this year as word spreads. In fact, more donations are needed as demand easily surpassed supply.

"We checked out 80 bikes in two months," he said.

And bicycle donations are tax deductible now that the bike library has a corporate sponsor, Environmental Advocates.

Future plans for the bike library include adding workbenches so cyclists can come in and repair their bikes.

Loring sees the bike library as a way to promote cycling as a viable transportation alternative.

"It costs a lot less to maintain a bike than a car," he said. He also noted the environmental and health benefits of riding a bike over driving a car. "Not to mention less traffic congestion and no parking problems."

Loring isn't looking past his original goal of getting bikes to kids who need them. He's teaming up with VISTA, another volunteer program, for this specific purpose. They will be taking bikes to kids from low-income households, and doing more neighborhood-based checkouts.

"A bike should be a part of every childhood," Loring said.

- Jason Spangler