Bed Races at Lehigh are a cherished tradition during Spirit Week. With new safety measures in place, students race beds down Packer Ave.
What started as a daring engineering student stunt in the 1960s has evolved into one of Lehigh University’s most cherished traditions: the annual Bed Races.
This unique event, which takes place during Rivalry Week before the historic Lehigh-Lafayette football game, combines engineering ingenuity with spirited competition as students race specially designed beds down Packer Avenue.
A tradition reimagined for safety & fun
Originally featuring actual dorm beds pushed down hills during Greek Week, the races were temporarily discontinued due to safety concerns. The tradition was revived after the class of 2012 successfully petitioned the administration, implementing new safety protocols and moving the event to fall’s Spirit Week.
This year’s event on November 20 featured 32 teams of five students each, carefully selected to create optimal bracket distribution. Two team members ride the specially engineered bed—with one steering—while three others provide the pushing power.
Engineering safety into tradition
In 2014, a significant change transformed the event when the university’s Design Lab created purpose-built racing beds to replace standard dorm beds. Speaking to Lehigh News, Brian Slocum, the Design Labs director, explained the engineering behind the seemingly simple design: “That engineering design behind them isn’t as simple as it looks, there’s some choices there that were made that weren’t obvious. In essence they’re 4 wheels on a metal frame, so there’s not a whole lot that can go wrong, and that’s intentional.”
The new beds feature:
- Low-to-ground structural steel frame
- External wheel placement for rider protection
- Limited-turn steering wheel (15-degree maximum)
- Minimal moving parts to reduce failure points
Organizing for success
Sam Perry, associate director of student engagement, oversees the extensive planning that begins in the summer. “Lehigh students are next to none,” Perry said. “They put a lot of pressure on themselves, so this event is so important to me because it reminds them it’s OK to be silly and to have fun just for the sake of having fun.”
New safety measures included:
- End-of-course barriers
- Designated team viewing areas
- Enhanced volunteer communication systems
- Mandatory safety briefings
Student experience
First-year student Jenna Rush ’28 participated in this year’s races, drawn by the unique opportunity to bond with friends and show school spirit. “It’s so much fun, I love all the banners hung up and I like how the Bed Races bring everyone together,” Rush said.
The Bed Races were part of a larger Rivalry Week celebration that included various events like a Turkey Trot, steel beam crushing demonstrations, and sustainability-focused banner making, all of which led up to the November 22 Lehigh-Lafayette football game.
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