More Bikes, Less Cars – Coming to San Diego Businesses

SDCBC is launching Bike Local Sundays, a monthly line-up of events encouraging folks to ride bikes to local businesses and support neighborhood economies. 

Bike Local Sundays kicks off in fabulous Hillcrest on April 21 with free bike valet parking at the Hillcrest Farmer’s Market and Earth Fair in Balboa Park.

“Our kick off will be the ultimate Earth Day experience. Bike local to pick up local produce at the Farmer’s Market, then ride over to Earth Fair for a celebration of everything green,” said Andy Hanshaw, executive director of the County Bicycle Coalition. “Forget the gasoline, we’re fueling on fresh veggies and empanadas.”

In partnership with the San Diego Business Improvement District Council, Bike Local Sundays are for everyone to enjoy, whether their style is spandex and clip-in shoes, board shorts and flip flops or skinny jeans and heels, the events are for all to participate in everyday cycling in San Diego.

Participating in Bike Local Sundays could even translate into discounts with local businesses and vendors.

“We’re working with businesses to offer deals for those who skip the drive and ride instead,” said Tiffany Bromfield, CEO of the Business Improvement District Council. “For April, the Hillcrest Farmers Market will give a Market Buck to Bike Local Sundays participants. Who wouldn’t ride their bike to the market to save a buck at their favorite booth?”

Additionally, the Hillcrest Farmers Market, managed by the Hillcrest Business Association, is working with local organizations to offer other services for April’s Bike Local Sundays.
 
"The Hillcrest Farmers Market is excited to partner with Bike Local Sundays on April 21,” said Lisa Wier from the Hillcrest Business Association. “In addition the Market Buck, we're providing a mega-deluxe bike valet with Messy Jessie’s bike shop, and a huge interactive bike safety experience with Save Moves San Diego all day long. Head to the north side of the DMV with your bike for all our biking activities."

Bike Local Sundays started with a goal to get more people riding bikes to support business in San Diego. Trends show that more people riding bikes versus driving improves community health, air quality and traffic congestion, as well as boosts business by relieving residents of the costs of owning and operating a vehicle, transferring those savings to the local economy.

Beyond Hillcrest in April, six other districts throughout the City of San Diego will host Bike Local Sundays on the third Sunday of each month, some in conjunction with the City’s Mini-CicloSDias events and with a break in August for CicloSDias and Bike the Bay.

The Bike Local Sundays schedule is:

·   April 21, 2013 – Hillcrest

·   May 19, 2013 - South Park in conjunction with the Balboa Park Mini-CicloSDias

·   June 16, 2013 - Mission Hills in conjunction with Presidio Park Mini-CicloSDias

·   July 21 –Golden Hill in conjunction with Golden Hill Mini-CicloSDias

·   August 18, 2013 – San Diego CicloSDia

·   August 25, 2013 - Bike the Bay

·   Sept 22 – Pacific Beach 

     October 20 – Ocean Beach

For more information on Bike Local Sundays, visit www.bikelocal.org.