Riverside, Calif., November, 2000-- Security officers now have one more tool in their quest for a crime-free and safe campus environment.

Riverside Public Utilities, in a ceremony at Riverside City Council Chambers this morning, donated several electric-assist bicycles to Riverside Community College, University of California Riverside, California Baptist University, and La Sierra University security departments.

The bicycles will be used for security and parking control purposes on the four university campuses, as well as by the Riverside Police Department. The bikes have all the "bells and whistles," including a siren. The motor will come in handy on steep slopes and even stair cases, and give new meaning to the phrase "power slide." The bike frame looks as sturdy as a mountain bike.

Jorge Heyde, VP for Financial Administration, accepted the bicycles on behalf of La Sierra University, and expressed thanks to Riverside Public Utilities and the City Council. Mayor Loveridge responded that he'd taken a test drive on the bikes and enjoyed it.

Douglas Nophsker, director of security at LSU, is pleased to have the bicycles added to his fleet of security vehicles.

###