BCAA's roadside assistance available to all cyclists for 2012 Bike To Work Week and Bike Month

BURNABY, BC, May 28, 2012 /CNW/ - New and seasoned cyclists won't need to fret over flat tires or other mechanical glitches during this year's Bike to Work Week B.C. events and the entire month of June for Bike Month.

Typically a Member benefit, BCAA is offering the same peace of mind provided by its reliable Road Assist service to all cyclists - BCAA Member or not - who have broken down, and need help getting to work, school or home.

Between May 28 and June 30, if you experience a mechanical breakdown with your bike, you can contact BCAA Road Assist service - available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - to receive help. And, if your bike is beyond repair at roadside, the BCAA technician will transport you and your bike a maximum of five kilometres to your destination or a nearby bike repair shop.

According to BCAA, over half the requests for Bike Assist are related to tire problems such as a flat tire or request to help replace a tube. About twenty-five per cent of Bike Assist calls require a transport to another location. "With gas prices hitting record highs and little relief in sight this summer, we recognize many people may be looking for alternatives such as cycling but may be hesitant to try because they don't know how to fix a mechanical problem with their bike," says Ken Cousin, BCAA's associate vice-president of Road Assist. "Knowing help is just a phone call away, we hope more people will take the opportunity during Bike to Work Week and Bike Month to try commuting by bicycle."

BCAA is proud to be the first Automobile Association in North America to provide roadside assistance for Members choosing pedal power over motor power. This is the sixth year BCAA has offered bicycle roadside assistance to all B.C. cyclists during Bike Month.

Where is BCAA Bike Assist available?

Bike Assist is available wherever BCAA provides roadside assistance. For more information on BCAA's "Bike Assist", a Membership benefit, visit bcaa.com/bikeassist.

How to call for help

Cyclists needing roadside assistance can call BCAA Road Assist in any of the following ways:

• Dial *222 by cell phone anywhere in B.C.
• 604-293-2222 (Lower Mainland)
• 1-800-222-4357 (rest of B.C.)

Criteria for BCAA "Bike Assist" during 2012 Bike to Work Week and Bike Month

• The cyclist must have experienced a mechanical breakdown, which includes any issue that makes the bike inoperable during a rider's commute, such as a broken chain or flat tire. (No assistance will be provided to cyclists looking to avoid challenging terrain or inclement weather);
• Manual and hybrid bicycles are eligible for Bike Assist service;
• If the repair cannot be made at the site of the breakdown, the service technician will transport the cyclist and their bicycle a maximum of five kilometres to their destination or a bike repair shop; additional charges apply should a cyclist wish to be transported further than five kilometers;
• One cyclist can be transported at a time.

About BCAA

BCAA is one of the most trusted organizations in British Columbia, serving one-in-four B.C. households. With over 790,000 Members, BCAA provides an array of award-winning home, auto and travel insurance products and services, and roadside assistance. Members can also benefit from CAA Dollar rewards, savings on BCAA insurance products and exclusive offers at Show Your Card & Save locations throughout the province. BCAA has a proud history of serving British Columbians for over 105 years, over $400 million in annual sales, 27 locations and over 800 employees. And, BCAA has been named one the 50 Best Employers in Canada by international human resource consultants Aon Hewitt five times in the past six years. To learn more about the benefits of BCAA Membership, visit www.bcaa.com. For more information on the BCAA Road Safety Foundation visit www.BCAARoadSafety.com. 

Editor's notes
For further information, or to request an interview, please contact:

Niela Melanio
BCAA Public Affairs Advisor
Office: 604-268-5342 (M-F between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
Cell: 778-228-8859 (any time)
Email: [email protected]