August 25, 2004
Student injured after faulty bike mistakenly included in new program
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A Purdue University student was injured today (Wednesday, Aug. 25) after a faulty bicycle was inadvertently put into circulation with other bikes approved for a campus program.
A female freshman student was riding westbound on Second Street, near the intersection of University Street, shortly after 11:30 a.m. Purdue Police Chief Gary K. Evans said she attempted to brake at the intersection, but because the bicycle did not have functioning brakes, she entered the intersection and struck the side of a CityBus.
The student was treated and released from St. Elizabeth Medical Center.
University officials have not released the student's name in compliance with federal privacy regulations.
Evans said the Gold Bike Program involved 24 bikes, all of which had been inspected and deemed safe. Due to a miscommunication, he said, a 25th bike also was released on campus without having passed an inspection. The final bike, which the student was riding, did not have functioning brakes.
"This is a very unfortunate case of a communication breakdown, and that bicycle should never have been made available for student use," Evans said. "I am very sorry one of our students was injured due to this mistake. We are still convinced that the Gold Bike Program is good for the campus and good for the students. We hope this unfortunate incident does not affect the confidence of people who are using bikes in the program."
Even though the other 24 bikes previously passed an inspection, Evans said they all will be re-inspected. Evans said he encouraged students to check the brakes and tires of each bike before using them. Any problems should be reported to the police department at (765) 494-8221.
The Gold Bike Program, announced earlier this month, made the 24 bikes available for student use when traveling on campus. Police distributed the bikes, which were painted bright gold and marked with an orange license plate, in heavily traveled areas of campus.
Writer: Matt Holsapple, (765) 494-2073, mholsapple@purdue.edu
Source: Gary K. Evans, (765) 494-8221, gkevans@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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