Campus Life

Bike Safe PSU aims to promote cyclist safety at University Park

Officer Michelle Beckenbaugh, a member of University Police's Community-Oriented Policing Unit, helps a student locate his bike’s serial number for registration.  Credit: Courtesy of Sam AnawaltAll Rights Reserved.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — More than 100 student cyclists received assistance in registering their bicycles and received a free set of bike lights in the process on Aug. 29 during Bike Safe PSU, a new event aimed at increasing bicyclist safety on campus.

As required by Centre Region ordinance and Penn State policy, all bicycles on the University Park campus must be registered. Officers from Penn State’s Community-Oriented Policing Unit were on hand at the event to assist students with bicycle registration, which can be completed online at https://transportation.psu.edu/bicycle-registration.

In addition, student cyclists were given free bike lights to help make themselves more visible to both pedestrians and drivers while riding. 

Sam Anawalt, student sustainability coordinator in the Sustainability Institute, discusses best practices for safe cycling while handing out free bike lights to students.  Credit: Courtesy of Sam AnawaltAll Rights Reserved.

“Lack of visibility is often the root cause of bicycle-related collisions involving pedestrians and even cars,” said Sam Anawalt, student sustainability coordinator in the Sustainability Institute and the event's director. “These lights will help to create a safer environment for everyone in the community.”

Bike Safe PSU is supported by Penn State University Police and Public Safety, the University Park Undergraduate Association, and Penn State Transportation Services.

Last Updated August 6, 2020