News

Oct 17, 2024

Improving campus safety and engagement with electric bikes – @theU

The Department of Public Safety recently expanded its use of electric bikes to increase visibility, community engagement and accessibility to all areas of campus. While e-bikes have been used by

The Department of Public Safety recently expanded its use of electric bikes to increase visibility, community engagement and accessibility to all areas of campus.

While e-bikes have been used by University Police since 2021, the Department of Public Safety recently expanded its fleet, thanks to a partnership with Rad Power Bikes. The 10 new e-bikes provided to the Department of Public Safety will be used by both campus security and police officers as part of their regular patrol efforts and allow them to engage more directly with the community.

E-bikes will provide Campus Security with more visibility and the ability to reach areas that are often inaccessible by vehicles, such as sidewalks and narrow passages around buildings. “Our campus geography is dynamic and we’re thrilled to have another mode of transportation to enhance our patrols and better serve our community,” Kim Barnett, Deputy Chief Safety Officer for Support Services, explained.

For University Police, an expanded e-bike fleet is another way to engage with the community and proactively address safety concerns. “October is National Pedestrian Safety Month and patrolling on e-bikes gives us a better understanding of the challenges that pedestrians encounter on our campus,” said Brian Lohrke, Captain of Police Operations. “Increasing our visibility near walkways and at sporting events makes it easier to have educational conversations when we see risky behaviors that could cause injuries or accidents.”

Campus Security provides their team with special training to participate in e-bike duty to ensure that both officers and the community are safe. These trainings include bike safety, state and campus laws and policies, and slow-riding skills. University Police receive a formal certification through the Law Enforcement Bicycle Association. The four-day training includes both classroom and riding instruction covering riding skills, slow speed drills, injury prevention, and specific use in law enforcement settings, such as apprehension and crowd control.

With the expansion of its e-bike fleet, the Department of Public Safety is also supporting the University of Utah’s Climate Action Plan and its core strategy of reducing emissions from all university-related transportation.

“I’ve been commuting to the U on a bicycle for 15 years, and for the past six years, I’ve used an e-bike,” said Director of Emergency Management Stuart Moffatt, who is excited about their use in Public Safety. “For me, it’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors—even in winter—and it allows me to contribute to sustainable transportation. From my home, I can often get to campus just as fast, if not faster, than by car. A few years ago, we purchased two e-bikes for my staff to use. It’s a small step, but part of our commitment to integrating sustainability as a key element in mitigating climate-related hazards.”

Campus Security and University Police received the e-bikes in late September and the community can expect to see them throughout campus in the fall, spring, and summer seasons.

“The Department of Public Safety has always served our campus 24/7, but these e-bikes will make us more visible and hopefully easier to approach,” concluded Chief Safety Officer Keith Squires. “It will be easier to flag an officer down at a tailgating event, reach out for help if you can’t access a building or just ask questions about safety on campus. It’s part of our larger message that we’re part of the campus community and we’re always ready to help.”