24 March 2011

Bicycle Benefits

We all know that there are benefits to cycling: higher fitness, better health, cleaner air, killer legs and awesome – if not strange – tan lines…

But, how about 10% off your next lunch or coffee?

Bicycle Benefits is a program designed to reward individuals for their riding their bicycles. The way the program works, is you purchase a sticker for $5 (available at any participating business) that you attach to your helmet, ride your bike, visit a participating business (you can find participating business by looking for the window decal, or checking out the list online), show them your sticker, and take advantage of the discount or benefit.

look for this sticker in the window of your favorite shop.

The goal of the Bicycle Benefits program is a commitment to cleaner air, personal health, and the use of pedaling energy in order to create a more sustainable community. The program's continual growth decreases parking demand, increases helmet use, and improves cyclists' safety and health by putting more people on bikes.

A little history: First came the Pedal Pass , a project done in Salt Lake City where people riding bicycles could obtain a card and upon presenting it at area businesses, they would receive deals. Add the helmet to the mix and a single sticker that is accepted and recognized in cities across the United States and you have Bicycle Benefits. The Saratoga Healthy Transportation Network saddled up the pilot program. Burlington , Vermont was next thanks to Dillon Klepetar, a college junior at the time. In summer 2007 , Salt Lake City became the first community west of the Mississippi to bring on Bicycle Benefits. Prince George , BC has just recently become the first city that participates and also uses "toonies". Boston , Massachusetts is becoming the first "most unfriendly bicycle city" to participate.

The program is currently in 19 states (and Washington DC) across the country.

To find out more information, or to see what businesses are participating in your area, go to http://www.bicyclebenefits.org/

No comments: