CAA has all your wheels covered

THORNHILL, ON, May 7 /CNW/ - Whether you own four wheels or two, CAA SCO has all your wheels covered.

CAA SCO members can now call for roadside assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week if their bike chain derails or their pedal comes loose. Today, we are launching our Bike Assist program which is similar to our existing auto program.

"Our always reliable roadside assistance is now available for cyclists," said Henry Westenbrink, Manager ERS Operations, CAA SCO. "For the first time in our history, CAA SCO will offer Bike Assist, the same kind of peace of mind Roadside Assistance offers drivers."

The goal is to fix the bike on the spot and get the cyclist pedaling again. If that's impossible, the bike and driver can be transported up to 10km with a Basic membership, up to 200 km with a Plus membership and up to 320 km with a Premier membership.

Members will not have to pay extra for the service. Bike Assist begins on May 1, 2010 and is available anywhere in CAA SCO territory.

The model is based on a modified BCAA program already in place.

CAA SCO is also shifting gears this summer and will be introducing the Bike Squad, a pilot project in the GTA. A team of four trained cyclists will be on call at charity and cycling events to help stranded motorists with a flat tire, locked out of their car or in need of a boost. The Bike Squad will inflate tires, but will not change or repair tires. They will be equipped with small hand tools to help cyclists as well. The street squad service is free to members and non-members and will operate between May and September.

CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club offering insurance, travel, automotive care and roadside services. There are more than 1.8 million CAA members in South Central Ontario and 5 million members in Canada. Visit www.caasco.com.

For further information: Media contact: Silvana Aceto, Media and PR Specialist, CAA SCO, 60 Commerce Valley Drive East, Thornhill, ON, L3T 7P9, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone]