The benefits of bicycling are many: improved physical fitness, zero carbon emissions and reduction in road congestion. Now, thanks to a new initiative called Bicycle Benefits, discounts on coffee, clothing, shoes and food can be added to the list.I'm always happy to help spread the word about young bicycling activists. This sounds like a very appealing initiative.
Bicycle Benefits began in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and is the brainchild of brothers Ian, 29, and Dillon Klepetar, 21. The program is simple. Local businesses reward cyclists in the form of discounts for riding bicycles instead of driving cars. Discounts are no less than 10 percent and can go up to 25 percent.
As long as cyclists have a Bicycle Benefits sticker on their helmets, they are entitled to the discounts at participating businesses. Having to show the helmet with the sticker is a way of promoting bicycle safety, Dillon Klepetar said.
"I think we need to re-evaluate the convenience and impact of driving a car. Biking is healthy on many different levels," he said. (Read more.)
Visit: Paul Dorn's Bike Commuting Tips
This is fantastic. There are a couple businesses in Portland that do this, including this one reported on BikePortland.org. I'd love to see it consolidated into a single program and expanded to more businesses here. I'd bet there'd be quite a few who would sign up. I might have to contact these guys....
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