BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

Greater Cincinnati Chapter of AAA Will Now Help People if Their Bicycle Breaks Down (Article in the Cincinnati Business Courier) The Greater Cincinnati chapter of the American Automobile Association will now pick up stranded bicyclists under a new initiative by the organization, whose focus has traditionally been on problems people have with their cars. In recent years, AAA has offered roadside assistance for bicyclists in other regions. The local chapter of the American Automobile Association will now pick up stranded bicyclists under a new initiative by the organization, whose focus has traditionally been on problems people have with their cars. The service is available to all local AAA members at no extra cost. Cyclists can use it for their own bike or if they rent a bike. AAA will not be able to make mechanical repairs, including unlocking a bike lock. Under the service, which is available in select cities including Cincinnati, cyclists can be taken to their home, a bicycle repair shop or their car. They will have to make their way to a regularly traveled road in order to get picked up. Frank Henson, the president of cycle advocacy group Queen City Bike, said bicycling advocates had been working for months with AAA to get the service offered here, showing how cycling has grown in Cincinnati and it's one of the fast-growing cities for bike commuting in the United States. “Bicycles are becoming an increasingly more popular mode of transportation in Greater Cincinnati, so this AAA service could not come at a better time,” Henson said. Other cities/regions served (pieced together from several sources...) AAA clubs in Colorado and Southern New England announced the new service in time for this week's Bike to Work Day, following the lead of other regional auto clubs. The organization, whose territory includes Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island, will send mechanics in trucks that are outfitted with bike racks to cyclists who call for help, in a new benefit the company says comes with existing memberships. Minneapolis, has similar service. "Service for bike riders has been available in Oregon and Idaho since 2012 and in New Jersey since last year. In Massachusetts, about 30 AAA trucks will be outfitted with bike racks." The trucks can't get to isolated bike paths, meaning cyclists will have to make their way to a road to receive help. Once they're picked up, they can ride for up to 10 miles without an extra fee.