Thanks to a bicycle fleet donation to the campus, UC Merced students will soon have more transportation options and access to bike riding and safety programs.
The generous gift of 50 fully assembled mountain bikes is from specialty fire-glass manufacturer SAFTI FIRST and company president and owner Bill O’Keeffe. Several student organizations will benefit from the contribution, including the Bike Society, which plans to distribute 10 bicycles to new members who do not own one, host sessions on bike safety and maintenance, and lead community rides.
Another 10 to 15 bikes will be part of the Associated Students of UC Merced (ASUCM) Bike Loaner Program to promote sustainable campus transportation. The program will begin with a pilot version this summer and is expected to be fully implemented in the fall.
"SAFTI FIRST is proud to call the city of Merced home, and we’re equally proud to support UC Merced and its students through this donation,” O’Keeffe said. “We believe in giving back to the community that supports us and we’re excited to help promote wellness, sustainability and student engagement on campus.”
Earlier this month, the student-run Public Health Society promoted National Public Health Week in collaboration with the City of Merced Parks & Community Services Department on a special Merced Trails bike ride.
“We believe in giving back to the community that supports us and we’re excited to help promote wellness, sustainability and student engagement on campus.”
Other opportunities being explored include bike access at Yosemite National Park for Yosemite Leadership Program students and interns, and ways to promote National Bike Month and Ride-a-Bike-to-Work Day in May.
The donated bikes have been registered with the UC Merced Police Department. Solicitations to campus police and ASUCM for bike-lock donations are underway to encourage security and personal bike registration.
“We are grateful to SAFTI FIRST for their generosity and support,” said Vice Chancellor and Chief External Relations Officer Ed Klotzbier. “The new bikes will not only provide our students with more transportation and access options but also give them the chance to explore and have fun.”
SAFTI FIRST’s bike donation was publicly recognized April 30 during a ceremony at the Merced Boosters monthly meeting in the UC Merced Conference Center.
