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, who often are transported to the hospital.

While most such minor incidents go unreported, bike and pedestrian crashes are the No. 3 cause of trauma seen at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, CHP reports.

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

One of the safety issues identified in the meetings was that bicyclists ride during the hours of darkness without the required lighting.

To help take that concern off the table, Santa Barbara CHP has acquired bike lights that can easily be mounted to and removed from students’ bike handlebars.

Isla Vista Community Services District, UCSB student leaders, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, and community volunteers will be providing some 1,000 bike lights, reflectors, bicycle helmets, and bike safety information, 5-7 p.m. March 3 at 6550 Pardall Road, Isla Vista.

“Our hope is to make Isla Vista brighter by making bicyclists visible during darkness, making the cycling environment safer, and reducing injuries and property damage,” the CHP said.

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