Perla Cortez EDINBURG- The UTRGV Environmental, Health, Safety and Risk Management revealed a new hike-and-bike trail project to keep cyclists, scooter users and pedestrians safe.
UTRGV has had two auto-pedestrian incidents in the past four months.
One incident was reported in mid-June in which a student was struck by a vehicle near campus. The student sustained minor injuries, but refused any medical services as noted in the police report.
A second report was made in September detailing a hit-and-run involving three football players who were charged after hitting a cyclist near campus.
Matthew Moncus, UTRGV Environmental, Health, Safety and Risk Management interim director explains an initiative to mitigate incidents.
“We’re building a hike and bike trail that goes outside most of the buildings make a big loop all the way around campus,” Moncus said. “So that’s going to be the dedicated space for bikes and for scooters.”
He also mentioned what precautions the university has placed.
“We have identified things that we can do regarding increasing visibility for the students, increasing where the crosswalks are and increasing police patrolling so that there is no speeding on that road, and on the Edinburg campus we repainted several of the crosswalks to make it very clear that it is where students need to cross,” Moncus said.
University Police Community Engagement Officer Marco Huerta speaks on how his department is planning to increase police presence and increase pedestrian safety awareness.
“We do campus safety at least two times a month via Zoom and people are more than welcome to come on the presentation through the UTRGV training portal they can sign up,” Huerta said. “Our administration has asked all officers to make sure their vigilant especially on all breeze ways, crosswalks and any other areas where heavy pedestrian traffic is at.”
Assistant Chief of Police Esmeralda Guerra warns if students use transportation devices on the Bronc Trail, University Police may begin to issue referrals and citations.
“So, if it becomes a problem that the same student continues to violate that policy then we will proceed with a new referral to the Students’ Rights of Responsibilities or we can pursuit with the or we can contact Parking and Transportation to issue a citation for the policy violation,” Guerra said.
Environmental, Health, Safety and Risk Management provide a few safety tips for cyclists on campus:
- Do not use bicycles, scooters and skateboards on the Bronc Trail.
- When on the road, make sure you ride near the curb, traveling in the same direction as traffic.
- Make sure a light is visible in the front of the bicycle and a red light in the back of the bicycle at night.
Moncus also added that the bike and hike trial is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
For more information on how to participate in to be a part of any campus safety trainings or Zoom meetings, visit utrgv.edu/ehsrm.
