Officers from the Santa Barbara Area California Highway Patrol (CHP) office respond to Isla Vista several times a year to investigate injury traffic crashes involving bicyclists, the CHP reports.

One of the safety concerns is that bicyclists ride during the hours of darkness without the required lighting.

To help alleviate that safety issue, Santa Barbara California Highway Patrol has acquired bike lights, which can easily be mounted to and removed from students’ handlebars.

Some 1,000 lights, reflectors, bicycle helmets, and bike safety information will be distributed, 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 at 6550 Pardall Road (in front of Pardall Center). 

Community members can join local law enforcement, Isla Vista Community Services District, UCSB student leaders, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, and local volunteers at the event.

The CHP has been meeting with UCSB faculty, student leaders, Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office, and the University of California Police Department to address ongoing bicycle safety concerns on and around campus in past years.

Rather than writing hundreds of traffic tickets to force compliance, the agencies want to take a proactive approach to bicycle safety, such as the bike light giveaway.

The crashes frequently end with the bicyclist being transported to the hospital, while most minor incidents go unreported, CHP reports. Bike and pedestrian crashes are said to be the No. 3 cause of trauma seen at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

At the event, officers, students and volunteers will provide bicycle safety information and urge students to take and use the lights on their bikes.

Funding for the program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.