It was three years ago when Bicycle Benefits was first introduced to Buffalo. Since that time, the program has slowly grown – adding bike-friendly business partners to the program. How does Bicycle Benefits work? Well, for example, if you buy a $5 membership, you get a sticker in return. You then take the sticker and adhere it to your bike helmet. Then you look at the list of all of the bike-friendly businesses, choose one that you want to visit and head out on your bike. When you walk into that business, you show them the sticker on your helmet and they give you a great deal on either a product or a service. Not bad for five bucks, huh?
As with many programs, it took a couple of years to build relationships with the community. Now it’s time to promote the heck out of the initiative. “We’re promoting a different local institution every day in May,” Dave Harter (Community Outreach Director Green Options Buffalo*) told me. “And we want to feature a Bicycle Benefits partner each day on Buffalo Rising.” The idea sounded good to me, and if you’re a cyclist who likes to get a good deal, then it should sound like a good deal to you too. During the month of May, we will be featuring a new bike-friendly business each day so that you, the cyclist, can understand just how much of a benefit the program really is. Then it’s up to you to purchase a membership and support our local businesses (at a discount). If you like to ride, and you’re a fan of businesses like Five Points Bakery, Sweet_ness 7 and Talking Leaves, then this summer should be nothing short of bicycle bliss.
*A Bicycle Benefits sticker is included with every membership in Green
Options Buffalo. Membership is only $25, and supports Green Options’
work at making Buffalo more convenient and pleasant for active
transportation like bicycling or walking.
Visit Bicycle Benefits website.
Image: Ian Klepetar, Founder of Bicycle Benefits.