Safti First recently donated 50 fully assembled mountain bikes to the University of California in Merced. This contribution aims to support student transportation and health while promoting sustainable practices during May’s National Bike Month. Merced is
Safti First's manufacturing home base.
Donation details
Several student organizations will benefit from the contribution, including the Bike Society and the Associated Students of UC Merced (ASUCM). The Bike Society will provide 10 bikes to new members without personal transportation and will organize safety workshops and group rides. ASUCM will include 10 to 15 of the bikes in a Bike Loaner Program launching this summer, aimed at improving access to sustainable transport across campus.
In addition to transportation, the donation is fostering wider community engagement. During National Public Health Week in April, UC Merced students joined the City of Merced Parks & Community Services Department in a special Merced Trails bike ride. Future opportunities include introducing bike access at Yosemite National Park for students in the Yosemite Leadership Program and promoting events like Ride-a-Bike-to-Work Day.
“We are proud to call the city of Merced home, and we’re equally proud to support UC Merced and its students through this donation,” says Bill O’Keeffe, President and Owner of Safti First. “We believe in giving back to the community that supports us, and we’re excited to help promote wellness, sustainability and student engagement on campus.”
UC Merced formally recognized the donation during the Merced Boosters’ monthly meeting on April 30 at the UC Merced Conference Center. The Merced Boosters, a community organization tied to the local Chamber of Commerce, support regional economic growth and civic engagement. O’Keeffe is an active member of the Merced Boosters.
“We are grateful to Safti First for their generosity and support,” says Vice Chancellor and Chief External Relations Officer Ed Klotzbier. “The new bikes will not only provide our students with more transportation and access options but also give them the chance to explore and have fun. We are delighted these wonderful new resources will be available to them.”
