Bike thieves end college program

Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- An idealistic effort to fight campus traffic at Florida State University by providing 20 free bicycles has hit a snag: A lot of bikes weren't being returned.

University officials say they will not try to revive the experimental program that began last fall, since thieves helped themselves to all of the bikes.

Every bike was gone before the first semester ended, a result that did not come as a total surprise, said Laura Miller, acting director of parking services.

"I think there was a hope the honor system would work, but we never lost sight of the realities of the modern world," Miller said Monday.