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**Update:**The Utah Transit Authority has informed KSL that they have run out of bike kits. No word on if they will have more any time soon.- - - - - -
SALT LAKE CITY — If the best things in life are free, many people may be happy with what the Utah Transit Authority is offering.
UTA is giving $40 worth of free bike safety gear and $20 gift cards for electronic bike lockers at transit stations for free as part of an ongoing effort to encourage people to bike to transit stations instead of driving.
"We're just trying to make it as easy, convenient and as safe as possible," said UTA spokesman Remi Barron. "Part of making it safe is making sure that people have easy access to safety equipment."
The safety kit giveaways started July 10 and will continue "as long as supplies last," Barron said, and contain a safety vest, two LED bike lights and a bike map.
Besides giving out free safety kits, UTA is also working on installing more bike racks on trains and near bus stops and FrontRunner stations, he said.
The kits also are a nod to a 25-year plan to build 1,600 miles of bike lanes, including a trail from Provo to Ogden along FrontRunner stations, offering alternative forms of travel than just driving to transit stations.
"The trail helps target the 60 percent of people 'interested but concerned' who want to ride bicycles more often, but are concerned with safety," said Scott Hess, the Wasatch Front Regional Council active transportation planner, referring to a Portland State University cycling study.
Hess added that the trails create more options for transportation, and will help cut back on driving short distances.
Barron said that any suggestions for bike-friendly measures are best made by visiting RideUTA.com, clicking on the social media link and leaving a comment at the bottom of the blog or by tweeting @RideUTA.
The safety kits are available at:
- Downtown Salt Lake City Customer Service Office (inside the Greyhound building at Salt Lake Central Station), 600 W. 250 South, Salt Lake City
- Ogden Transit Center, 2393 Wall Ave. in Ogden
- Timpanogos Transit Center, 1145 S. 750 East in Orem
Katie Larsen is a Deseret News intern and print journalism senior at Utah State University who graduates in December. Email: klarsen@deseretnews.com
