A team of mechanical engineering senior design students from the University of Iowa partnered with the Iowa City Bike Library to create an innovative, sustainable solution to a unique request: convert rainwater into a bike wash station. 

Located in an industrial area on the edge of downtown, the nonprofit that aims to “get more people on bikes” faces limited green space and an abundance of concrete, making stormwater management a priority. 

Seeking a creative and environmentally responsible approach, the organization proposed the engineering students design and build a functional bike wash station that also was aesthetically pleasing, given the Bike Library's community facing mission. 

Guided by associate professor of instruction Phillip Deierling and in consultation with the Bike Library staff, students were tasked with developing a custom system — one without an existing blueprint — that could capture, store, and reuse rainwater effectively. 

“This is a very mechanical project where you build a real product and can come back and see it in use,” said team member Michael Strahanoski, of Lockport, Illinois. Fellow student Ethan Keeney, of North Liberty, Iowa, added that the hands-on nature of the project was a major draw. 

Other team members – Lucas Dunlap, of Mokena, Illinois, and Jacob Chay, of Frankfort, Illinois – noted the challenge of balancing functionality, cost, and aesthetics for a community-facing installation. 

The intent is for the wash station, situated near the front of the property, to be free and available or use for anyone passing by. 

The system includes an 830-gallon rain tank capable of capturing tens of thousands of gallons of water each season, helping reduce runoff while supporting the nonprofit’s daily operations. Initial design estimates put the project at $16,000, but the team was able to refine the design and complete it for approximately $7,500, a welcome cost reduction for the nonprofit.  

The bike wash station aligns closely with the Iowa City Bike Library’s sustainability goals, which include working toward carbon neutrality. Future plans include adding pedal-powered features to further reduce energy use. 

The Iowa City Bike Library has an open house called Bike-In Beats scheduled for noon to 10 p.m. on June 13. The event will showcase the completed station among a day of activities. The Iowa City Bike Library is located at 1222 South Gilbert Court.