Northern Arizona University has surpassed its goal of $5,850 in the Lights for Yellow Bikes crowdfunding campaign launched last month, raising enough to equip 150 campus yellow bikes with LED safety lights.
The funds will provide front and rear lights for every bike in the Yellow Bike program. The light sets will be added to the bikes in the coming weeks.
The goal was met 15 days early with the help of donations from 159 parents, students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the university. Total funds received were $6,704.
Additional dollars will be used by the Yellow Bike program to improve the fleet, purchase additional safety accessories and improve the overall Yellow Bike riding experience.
The free bike-sharing initiative allows students, faculty and staff to borrow bikes for up to seven days. Each bike comes with a bike lock and helmet, and they can be checked out at the du Bois Center, University Union and Health and Learning Center. The program averages 300 to 400 users annually, with approximately 54 percent of riders using bikes up to six times each academic year.