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.
