SAFTI FIRST® Supports Uc Merced Students With Bicycle Fleet Donation During National Bike Month
From left to right: Tim Nass (VP Sales at SAFTI FIRST); Ed Klotzbier (Vice Chancellor and Chief External Relations Officer at UC Merced); Diana San Diego (VP of Marketing at SAFTI FIRST); Catherine Masuda (CEO at SAFTI FIRST); UC Merced students Kevin Ramirez Mora and Ammar Salah; and David Dunham (Athletics and Recreation Director at UC Merced).
Media Contact:
Diana San Diego
888.653.3333 ext. 756
dianas@safti.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAFTI FIRST® SUPPORTS UC MERCED STUDENTS WITH BICYCLE FLEET DONATION DURING NATIONAL BIKE MONTH
Donation promotes sustainable transportation, student wellness, and community engagement in the Merced, CA – home to SAFTI FIRST®’s manufacturing facilities.
Brisbane, CA (May 12, 2025) – SAFTI FIRST®, leading USA-manufacturer of advanced fire rated glass and framing systems, recently donated 50 fully assembled mountain bikes to the University of California in Merced. This contribution supports student transportation and health while promoting sustainable practices during May’s National Bike Month. Merced is SAFTI FIRST®’s manufacturing home base, with separate facilities dedicated to advanced manufacturing fire rated glass, fire rated framing and fire rated doors from 20 minutes to 2 hours.
Several student organizations will benefit from the contribution, including the Bike Society and the Associated Students of UC Merced (ASUCM). The Bike Society will provide 10 bikes to new members without personal transportation and will organize safety workshops and group rides. ASUCM will include 10 to 15 of the bikes in a Bike Loaner Program launching this summer, aimed at improving access to sustainable transport across campus.
In addition to transportation, the donation is fostering wider community engagement. During National Public Health Week in April, UC Merced students joined the City of Merced Parks & Community Services Department in a special Merced Trails bike ride. Future opportunities include introducing bike access at Yosemite National Park for students in the Yosemite Leadership Program and promoting events like Ride-a-Bike-to-Work Day.
“We are proud to call the city of Merced home, and we’re equally proud to support UC Merced and its students through this donation,” said Bill O’Keeffe, President and Owner of SAFTI FIRST®. “We believe in giving back to the community that supports us, and we’re excited to help promote wellness, sustainability and student engagement on campus.”
UC Merced formally recognized the donation during the Merced Boosters’ monthly meeting on April 30 at the UC Merced Conference Center. The Merced Boosters, a long-standing community organization tied to the local Chamber of Commerce, support regional economic growth and civic engagement. Bill O’Keeffe is an active member of the Merced Boosters, further underscoring the company’s ongoing commitment to local partnerships and community-focused initiatives.
“We are grateful to SAFTI FIRST® for their generosity and support,” said Vice Chancellor and Chief External Relations Officer Ed Klotzbier. “The new bikes will not only provide our students with more transportation and access options but also give them the chance to explore and have fun. We are delighted these wonderful new resources will be available to them.”
As part of its commitment to local involvement and environmental responsibility, SAFTI FIRST® views this initiative as an extension of its values — supporting the well-being of students, reducing carbon footprints, and strengthening community ties, especially during National Bike Month.
For more information on SAFTI FIRST®, visit safti.com.
Media interested in photos, interviews or other information should contact Diana San Diego at 888.653.3333 ext. 756 or dianas@safti.com.
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About SAFTI FIRST®
SAFTI FIRST® Fire Rated Glazing Solutions has been serving the architectural and building communities for over 40 years as the leading vertically integrated, single source, USA-manufacturer of advanced fire rated glass and framing systems. As the premier source for fire rated glazing, SAFTI FIRST® was the first to introduce transparent fire rated walls to the U.S. market. Our comprehensive product line, fire rated from 20 minutes to 2 hours, includes fire resistive tempered units (SuperLite® II-XL and SuperLite® II-XLB), fire resistive multilaminates (SuperLite® II-XLM), fire resistive security glazing (SuperSecure® II-XLS), clear specialty fire protective glass (patented SuperClear® 45-HS and SuperClear® 45-HS-LI), specialty tempered glass (SuperLite® I and I-XL) and specialty fire protective (SuperLite® X-45/60/90). Our fire rated glazing products can protect against noise, attack, impact, bullets, blast, hurricane and UV rays, and are available in many custom architectural make-ups, including butt-glazed and enhanced energy performance applications. GPX® Framing is fire rated up to 2 hours and can be used in doors, openings, storefronts, curtain wall and floor applications and available in multiple architectural finishes. GPX® Framing can also be customized protect against attack, impact, bullets, blast and hurricane. SAFTI FIRST® is the only fire rated glass and framing manufacturer with approved components in the NFRC CMAST database. Our products are listed by UL and Intertek and are manufactured in the US for fast lead times and competitive pricing. For more information, call 888.653.3333 or visit safti.com.
