From: madine@cbnewsm.cb.att.com (G. E. Madine, AT&T-BL/AL, cbnewsm.)
Subject: Special Bike to Work Day effort.
Organization: AT&T
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1992 05:41:58 GMT
Keywords: encourage cycle commuting



The following forwarded message describes a guide that
Alan Streater, a member of our local advocacy group, put
together. The guide is how to organize a *special* Bike
to Work Day effort.

Now is the time to start organizing for the first BTWD
in your community.

Participants (bicycle commuters) on BTWD are treated to free
breakfast snacks (muffins, bagels, doughnuts, bread, fruit,
coffee, tea, and, most popular, O.J.) in return for stopping
at one of the numerous BTWD breakfast stations. The stations
are supplied by local restaurants and business. The stations
are attended by volunteers. Cycle commuters are asked to
sign in and fill in some interesting details of their commute
(distance, how often, employer). To really get out the
riders, prizes are available.  Alan helped organize similar
efforts in Ashland, OR and Boulder, CO in previous years.

We had 11 stations, prizes from water bottles to a hybrid
bicycle, TV coverage, cycle commuting Congressmen,
proclamations from mayors and state representatives,
favorable comments and press for the first Lehigh Valley
BTWD on May 19, 1992.  The organizing group was about 12
people strong.  Our operating budget was $0.  All food,
facilities, printing services, and prizes were donated by
local municipalities, local businesses, and the local mass
transit company.  Admittedly, we had some out of pocket
expenses.  E.g. our Congressman bicycled to work a few days
early because he had to be in D.C. on that Tuesday.  So a
member sprung for doughnuts and coffee and met the
Congressman and his BTWD committee escorts on arrival at his
office.  There were some other expenses, but all were of
the same order of magnitude.

All participants had a great day.  We fully expect to double
participation in 1993, hopefully again in 1994 and 1995. Then
we will be approaching the rates seen this year in Boulder, CO.

Forwarded message follows:

  Attention bicyclists! It is now time to start organizing
  for a Bike to Work Day in your community next spring or
  summer. A bike to work day is a great way to celebrate
  bicycle commuting and encourage others to try it. Bike to
  Work Day events have been making big splashes in cities
  across the country.  The event attracted 7000 participants
  last year in Boulder, Colorado. A new "first time" organizing
  guide is available from the Lehigh Valley Bicycle Rider's
  alliance. The pamphlet contains detailed advice, example
  letters, press releases, newspaper articles and publicity
  material. It describes step by step, how to obtain free
  breakfasts, prizes and publicity for the first Bike to Work
  Day in your community. It also provides a time line that will
  help you organize the process. The 30 page pamphlet is
  available for $2.00 (no profit) from

  Alan Streater
  513-515 Main St. #3
  Bethlehem, PA 18018
  internet address: ads4@lehigh.edu
  
End forwarded message.

Gary Madine, Lehigh Valley Bicycle Riders Alliance, Allentown, PA.
gem@aloft.att.com


Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.soc