News Releases
RIDE Solutions Announces Bike Rack Giveaway
For Immediate Release, 04/26/2007
Roanoke, VA., April 26, 2007– Jeremy Holmes, Transportation Alternatives Coordinator with the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission and Program Director for RIDE Solutions, today announced a new bike rack donation program in support of this year’s Clean Commute Day event. Up to ten racks will be given to qualifying area businesses and organizations who encourage their customers and employees to cycle as an alternative to the daily commute.
“This year, Clean Commute Day falls within Bike to Work Week,” said Holmes. “RIDE Solutions wants to encourage cycling as one of the healthiest commute options. Not only is it good for the region’s environmental quality, drastically reducing vehicle traffic and emitting no pollution, it also builds physical fitness and is a great way to enjoy the Valley’s natural beauty.”
Already popular in the Valley for recreation, cycling has been adopted by several residents as their primary form of commuting. As fuel prices rise and Americans face ever more dire warnings about health and obesity, commuting by bicycle is fast becoming a natural solution to both problems. Through this program, RIDE Solutions and the Regional Commission hope to increase the visibility of cycling as a commuting option, and provide a simple way for area businesses to show their support for increasing the area’s bicycle-friendliness.
“It’s more than just being Green,” said Holmes. “Certainly, replacing vehicle trips with bicycle trips has an enormous impact on our air quality and fuel consumption. But it’s also about promoting a lifestyle and community that is increasingly attractive to the types of companies we want to see more of in the Roanoke region. Some of the biggest Fortune 500 companies – such as Qualcomm, Yahoo!, and Google, according to Best Workplaces for Commuters – have very active bicycle commuting programs. It reflects a quality of life their employees want, and they want to support. This is a small way to bring attention to that lifestyle.”
RIDE Solutions and the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission are organizing this year’s Clean Commute Day event. Clean Commute Day, held May 18, 2007 to mark the traditional start of the summer ozone pollution season, is an opportunity for area commuters to explore the links between their transportation habits and air quality in the Valley, and encourages them to take an active part in improving the region’s air by taking the Clean Commute Pledge at RIDE Solutions’ website. More information can be found at http://www.ridesolutions.org.
“This year, Clean Commute Day falls within Bike to Work Week,” said Holmes. “RIDE Solutions wants to encourage cycling as one of the healthiest commute options. Not only is it good for the region’s environmental quality, drastically reducing vehicle traffic and emitting no pollution, it also builds physical fitness and is a great way to enjoy the Valley’s natural beauty.”
Already popular in the Valley for recreation, cycling has been adopted by several residents as their primary form of commuting. As fuel prices rise and Americans face ever more dire warnings about health and obesity, commuting by bicycle is fast becoming a natural solution to both problems. Through this program, RIDE Solutions and the Regional Commission hope to increase the visibility of cycling as a commuting option, and provide a simple way for area businesses to show their support for increasing the area’s bicycle-friendliness.
“It’s more than just being Green,” said Holmes. “Certainly, replacing vehicle trips with bicycle trips has an enormous impact on our air quality and fuel consumption. But it’s also about promoting a lifestyle and community that is increasingly attractive to the types of companies we want to see more of in the Roanoke region. Some of the biggest Fortune 500 companies – such as Qualcomm, Yahoo!, and Google, according to Best Workplaces for Commuters – have very active bicycle commuting programs. It reflects a quality of life their employees want, and they want to support. This is a small way to bring attention to that lifestyle.”
RIDE Solutions and the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission are organizing this year’s Clean Commute Day event. Clean Commute Day, held May 18, 2007 to mark the traditional start of the summer ozone pollution season, is an opportunity for area commuters to explore the links between their transportation habits and air quality in the Valley, and encourages them to take an active part in improving the region’s air by taking the Clean Commute Pledge at RIDE Solutions’ website. More information can be found at http://www.ridesolutions.org.
