Bike Light Giveaway in Isla Vista

Source: California Highway Patrol

Officers from the Santa Barbara Area California Highway Patrol (CHP) office respond to Isla Vista several times a year to investigate injury traffic collisions involving bicyclists.  Collisions the CHP investigates frequently end with the bicyclist being transported to the hospital, while most minor incidents go unreported.  The CHP has been meeting with UCSB faculty, student leaders, Santa Barbara Sheriff Department, and the University of California Police Department to address ongoing bicycle safety concerns on and around campus.  The aforementioned agencies want to take an upbeat, proactive approach to bicycle safety and employ an alternative method than writing hundreds of traffic tickets to force compliance. 

One of the safety concerns identified in these meetings was the fact that bicyclists ride during the hours of darkness without the required lighting.  UCSB Associated Students Bike Committee has acquired approximately 1,000 removable bike lights, which can easily be mounted to and removed from students’ handlebars.  Officers, students, and volunteers will provide bicycle safety information and encourage students to take and use the lights on their bicycles.  Our hope is to make Isla Vista brighter, thus making bicyclists visible during darkness, make the cycling environment safer, reduce injuries, and reduce property damage.  The CHP will also donate 1,450 bike lights to help promote safety.

Please join your local law enforcement, UCSB student leaders, and community volunteers on Wednesday, November 08, 2017, from 5:00-6:30 pm at 6550 Pardall Road (in front of Pardall Center).  UCSB Associated Students Bike Committee and CHP will be giving away approximately 2,450 bike lights, and providing bike safety information.  We hope to see you at the event!