Tonight, University Police will be on patrol making sure students on bicycles are able to see and be seen.
Starting at 5:30 p.m., they will be checking that bicyclists are using headlights and taillights as they ride on campus.
Because the main goal is education, not punishment, Capt. Jeff Holcomb said officers will not be issuing any citations, just warnings.
He said that when freshmen arrive on campus at the beginning of the fall semester, they quickly figure out that biking to class is faster than walking, but they usually don’t think to make sure they have the proper lighting equipment.
The Daylight Savings Time change initiated the light check.
“Students who used to ride their bikes home in the light are now riding them home in the dark because of the time change,” he said. “This is a perfect time to take advantage of reminding students of the laws that are in effect.”
According to a UPD release, Florida law requires that all bikes be equipped with a white light on the front and a red light on the rear. Reflectors do not meet legal requirements.
UPD is working with the Walmart Supercenter on Waldo Road to provide a 15 percent discount on light kits to students who bring their written warnings into the store.
