Cycling News

Trek kicks off annual 'Go By Bike' campaign

The bike company has partnered with London Cycling Campaign, CTC, and Sustrans to promote cycling and cycling advocacy.

Trek UK launched the promotion last year and has rolled it out again. The Go By Bike campaign runs for the whole of June.

Customers who purchase a Trek from participating dealers will be offered a free one-year membership to either LCC or CTC. Sustrans will then send customers a 'Free Your Bike' pack, which includes tips on cycling, and a local National Cycle Network map. Trek dealers will also be including a free helmet to customers who purchase a bike during the campaign.

Andrew Griffin, marketing manager at Trek UK, said: "The goal of Go By Bike is to encourage people to take up cycling, either for recreation or commuting. The campaign consists of special offers available to customers, along with information on the benefits of cycling to the health and well being of not only the individual, but to the planet at large.

"Trek has never been in the business of just selling as many bikes as possible - it has always supported cycle advocacy across a number of different projects. The Go By Bike Campaign offered an opportunity to support specific organisations who in turn could help support the customer, especially those new to cycling.

"We wanted to provide the customer with more than a bike when they leave the store. Providing free membership to these organisations allows the customer access to more cycling information and support than you could wave a stick at and, in turn, the customer is supporting the organisations involved."

The UK-specific campaign meshes with Trek's international advocacy initiative, 1World 2 Wheels.

Jonathan Sharpe, CTC's marketing manager, said:

"It's fantastic that Trek is supporting UK cycling and providing more people with the opportunity to do more with their bikes. Here at CTC, we focus on the social side of cycling as well as protecting and promoting the rights of cyclists. Go By Bike is a great initiative that has our full support, especially as it's helping and encouraging more people to cycle."

LCC's marketing manager Lucy Cooper said:

"We share Trek's view that with just a little bit of support new cyclists can get so much more out of owning a bike, and fully realise the joys and utility that a bike offers. People join London Cycling Campaign for the offers, information and services, but they stick with us because they become part of a campaign to create a cycle-friendly London. Trek's enthusiasm for advocacy is what really attracted us to this partnership."

Sustrans marketing manager Monica Ogden said: "We're delighted to get involved in this campaign because it builds on people's enthusiasm for cycling when they first wheel home a brand new bike.

"Bikes can have a tendency to gather dust in sheds if their owners don't know how to carry out basic maintenance or are unaware of traffic-free or traffic-calmed routes nearby. Our information packs show people where their nearest section of National Cycle Network is for their everyday journeys as well as inspiring them to enjoy exploring further afield, whether on a day trip or adventure holiday."

The campaign finishes on 30th of June.

Published Tuesday 1 June 2010