A new program encourages more bicycling by using incentives with businesses along the Lake Wobegon Trail.
The Bicycle Benefits Business program encourages biking to a business through incentives that are awarded to customers who arrive by bike and show their Bike Benefits helmet sticker. Helmet stickers are purchased by the customer for $5 and are good at any participating business.
Rewards and discounts vary by business but can include two-for-one, discounts or free items. Participating businesses sign up for the program by purchasing a start-up kit for $26.75. The kit includes 10 helmet stickers, a listing on the Bicycle Benefits website and inclusion in local promotions.
“This is a wonderful program that links bicycling and business to the benefit of both,” says Pia Lopez, board president for Minnesota Street Market.
Businesses that are planning to participate in the program so far include Local Blend, Minnesota Street Market and Bad Habit Brewing in St. Joseph. Other area businesses include Nori Café, Good Earth Food Co-Op and House of Pizza in St. Cloud and Gathering Ground and Fisher’s Club in Avon. The first 20 participating businesses get a free start-up kit.
Support for the program comes from the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership, Bike St. Cloud and the Lake Wobegon Trail Association.
The Lake Wobegon Trail is 65 miles long and runs from Waite Park through St. Joseph, Albany, Holdingford, Bowlus, Freeport, Melrose, Sauk Centre, West Union and Osakis.
For more information on the Bicycle Benefits Business program, or to sign up, contact Allison Dudek at Stearns County Public Health at 320-656-6083 or allison.dudek@co.stearns.mn.us.
The Lake Wobegon Trail in St. Joseph.
