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Susan Tierney Communications Officer 602.262.4668

Tara La Bouff R&R Partners 480.317.6064

Valley Metro, Cities Declare ‘Valley Bike Month’

PHOENIX (March 18, 2008) – Six cities and Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority, will host a variety of events during the next four weeks to build awareness about bike use as a greener form of transportation and reduce trips made alone in a car.

“Bicycles are one of the most economical ways to help the environment,” says David Boggs, Valley Metro executive director. “When we use a bike instead of driving alone, we remove congestion from our roads, remove pounds of pollution from the air, and can find health benefits and camaraderie, too.”

Kicking off the month is the “Bike-a-palooza” in Tempe on April 5 with free helmet giveaways and fittings, a safety fair, and great deals on new and used goods at the swap meet. Cities of Glendale, Peoria, and Scottsdale will host family fun rides throughout the next four weeks, while the City of Phoenix organizes a USA Bicycling sanctioned race—the “RideCleanState of Arizona Championship Criterium”—on the 12th. Valley Bike Month culminates April 20 with a non-competitive "Great Bike Chase” in downtown Phoenix. This 3-mile ride takes bicyclers from Margaret T. Hance Park to Chase Field for a MLB Arizona Diamondbacks game.

A number of the annual April events have a popular following among competitive bicycle riders, families, and enthusiasts such as Jack and Mimi Judah of Apache Junction, who have ridden the past three years in Valley Metro’s “Great Bike Chase.”

“It’s fun to go there, meet other bicyclists, ride through the old historic neighborhoods, and see a game,” says Jack Judah. “If you love bikes and you love baseball, it’s the perfect event.”

For a complete list of all Valley Bike Month events with time, location and cost details, visit www.ValleyMetro.org