The best way to get around both Temple University’s campus and the city of Philadelphia is on two wheels, said Josh Blakely, Class of 2026.

“I love to bike because I can get to places so much more quickly than walking,” he said.

He recently received a free U-lock after registering his bike with Temple’s Department of Public Safety (TUDPS).

“It's a great lock and now I know my bike will be safe,” he said.   

Blakely is not alone. Nearly 100 students received free U-locks during the 2023–2024 academic calendar, which is an increase of nearly 20% from the year prior, according to TUDPS data.

“It’s important students, faculty and staff protect their bikes and scooters by registering them with Temple Police, and in exchange, we give them a free U-lock,” said Chief of Police and Vice President for Public Safety Jennifer Griffin. “When stolen or lost bicycles or scooters are recovered by the police, officers can quickly locate the owner, but only if they are registered with our department.”

Data also shows students are increasingly utilizing other safety resources as well, including Flight, the university’s free nighttime fixed-route shuttle loop service. The number of Flight passengers surged from 28,969 during the 2022–2023 academic year to 33,271 passengers during the 2023-2024 academic year.

“Weather impacts passenger ridership and so does information sharing. We’ve been getting the word out much more on social media, so that has been making a big difference,” said Mark Gottlieb, senior associate director of operations and logistics. 

Gottlieb added that Flight shuttles are extremely accessible to the Temple community, whether that’s people traveling on campus or within the patrol zone.

“Flight-branded shuttles pick up and drop off students at more than 50 stops and arrive approximately every 15 minutes at each stop. This consistency has led to more riders because people know they can depend on it. There is always another Flight shuttle around the corner. Riders can also track the locations of each shuttle in real time using the TransLoc app,” Gottlieb.

More students, faculty and staff are also utilizing the university’s walking escort program, which allows individuals to be accompanied by a security officer when walking to locations within Temple’s patrol boundaries. The number of walking escorts grew from 1,354 in the 2022–2023 academic year to 1,402 during the 2023-2024 academic year. (This service is available 24/7, 365 days a year. To request an escort, call 215-777-9255 from your cell phone.)

Additionally, the university’s Security Grant program now includes 165 properties, an increase of several dozen properties from the year before. The Best Nest program also increased the number of properties on its list, culminating in a total of 5,625 certified beds. That is an increase of about 200 beds from the previous year. 

“We have put a lot of support behind these programs and initiatives over the last several years, and the reason we have done that is because we want the Temple community to use them. So, it’s gratifying to see that happening,” said Ken Kaiser, Temple’s senior vice president and chief operating officer.

Students appreciate many of the safety resources offered by the university. 

“I would definitely tell my friends to register their bikes so they can get free U-locks, too,” said Blakely. “Everything the university does to make us feel safer is a great thing.”

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