Metro Phoenix is a BikeTown, USA

BICYCLING MAGAZINE’S “BIKETOWN USA” PROGRAM BRINGS FREE BIKES TO SEVEN COMMUNITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY

The gift of a bike unites communities and improves lives

Emmaus, PA (August 19, 2009) –What do you want to change about your life? Do you wish you were in better health? Wish you were more connected to your community? Do you wish you could save money on gas?

Bicycling magazine and MetLife have the solution: Start riding a bike. In its seventh year, Bicycling’s BikeTown USA, presented by MetLife, will be giving away more than 200 Jamis Commuter 1 bikes to selected participants. In seven US cities, people interested in changing their daily lives will have the opportunity to see how a bike can improve life for themselves, their families, even their communities. BikeTown USA has given away over 2,300 bikes in towns all over the country in the past six years.

“In our seventh year of BikeTown USA, we wanted to refocus the program on neighborhoods, where people spend time with their family and friends,” said Loren Mooney, editor-in-chief of Bicycling. “A bike becomes the ultimate neighborhood multi-tasking tool – you can connect with your community, improve your health and travel to the local coffee shop all by riding a bike.”

Anyone interested in receiving a new bike simply needs to tell Bicycling, in 50 words or less, how having a Jamis Commuter 1 bike would help make a change in his or her life. Bicycling’s editors will select what they feel are the 30 best essays in each city and the selected writers will each receive a bike to keep.

Bicycling tracks participants’ progress for three months, with results featured in the magazine and on Bicycling.com. Previous stories have been astonishing – thousands of pounds have been lost, blood pressure and diabetes medications dropped, marriages saved, impromptu bike clubs started, and countless bike commuter miles logged to save money on gas and help the environment. In essence, thousands of people enjoy their lives more because they spend more time on a bike.

“On behalf of MetLife, we are proud to sponsor this year’s BikeTown USA to help bring bicycling to people across the United States,” said Michael J. Vietri, executive vice president, Individual Distribution, MetLife. “As a company, we have a long-standing history of community involvement and are particularly focused on people’s health and well being. Through bicycling, our clients and their friends and families have an outlet to relieve stress, improve their health and have fun.”

Participant entries in metro Phoenix are being accepted through Wednesday, September 16 and the give-away is on September 26. All selected participants will receive a new Jamis Commuter 1 bike, a helmet from Lazer, and a lock from OnGuard.

“Jamis is proud to join the team as the Official Bike of BikeTown 2009,” said Carine Joannou, President of Jamis Bicycles. “We’ve been building bikes for 30 years and know firsthand how cycling can change lives. We are really looking forward to helping BikeTown participants achieve their goals.”

The Phoenix event is September 26th. Details on time & location will be posted soon.