Ride Solutions and Bike Roanoke are services of The Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission. The RVARC focuses on planning, developing and executing bicycle and pedestrian programs that have positive impacts on citizens’ quality of life. These projects serve as the first step toward creating livable and sustainable communities.
Ride Solutions was created in 2001 to address air quality issues in the region. Ride Solutions now works to promote carpooling options as well as promote other alternative transportation options in the New River Valley. Bike Roanoke is a service or Ride Solutions, this portion of the organization promotes cycling in the City of Roanoke and the surrounding rural areas. Through community events and education Bike Roanoke is doing its part to get cyclists on local roads and paths and keep them safe.
A community focused approach
Ride Solutions is taking a community focused approach to promoting cycling walking and alternative transportation. Ride Solutions sponsors and hosts many events to get the community excited about alternative transportation and staying active.
Community Events
Ciclovia- For bike month Ride Solutions took the concept of a Ciclovia and brought it to the streets of Roanoke. There were two of these events schedules for 2010. With the help of The City of Roanoke Ride Solutions shut down a portion on the downtown streets for safe riding and pedestrian activities. This event allowed people in Roanoke to get out and use the streets as a park for recreation and physical activity. As a result of the 2010 event Ride Solutions was recognized by the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) with its 2010 Excellence in Rural Transportation award. 
Ride solutions also hosts events to get the community excited about cycling and walking. The Wonka Ride was an event for cyclist of all ages. The cyclist enjoyed free refreshments and a movie at a local theater and took a ride through Roanoke.
*Ciclovias originated in Bogotá Columbia were streets were shut down for pedestrian use. The events are now held every Sunday and on holidays. The idea has since grown and ciclovias have been popping up across the United States. Cities like San Francisco, Miami, New York and Tucson have held these events.
Employer Efforts
Ride Solutions is helping to create a more commuter friendly environment by working hands on with local employers to create more commuter friendly facilities and policies. The Red Rack Program is a service that offers free bike racks to local business. The program can be easily applied for through Ride Solutions webpage. If accepted businesses receive the number of racks that best fits their needs as well as a packet of information regarding biking and walking routes, the bus schedule and ride sharing. This is one the ways that Rise Solutions is helping businesses take the first step to becoming more bikes friendly.
Ride solutions also help employers to become more bike and pedestrian friendly by guiding businesses through ways they can better accommodate for the non drivers. The League of American Bicyclists offers certification for business that accommodates cyclist’s needs. These recommendations include creating changing stations for employees, showers, and indoor bike storage options.
Ride Solutions will help businesses through the steps of becoming certified by the League of American Bicyclists. The businesses are guided through the steps of the application and given suggestions of ways to become more commuters friendly.
More information about the certification can be found at http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/bicyclefriendlybusiness/
Education
Ride Solutions and Bike Roanoke are reaching cyclists, pedestrians and motorists through online efforts. On the webpage’s of both Roanoke based organizations users can find information on ride sharing opportunities, on bike and walking routes, and on bus schedules. Ride Solutions is keeping Roanoke pedestrians and cyclists informed about safe routes and minimizing single occupancy vehicles on the road.
These organizations are able to present their information and promote alternative transportation through promotional items such as mock tickets. These mock tickets are used to draw attention to the benefits of cycling and give riders and pedestrians the web page of Bike Roanoke.
Summary
Ride Solutions and Bike Roanoke are operated under the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission. Citizens and visitors of the area are able to benefit from the services provided. Ride Solutions and Bike Roanoke are working to break down the barriers that prevent people from using alternative transportation regularly. Along with community events, these organizations are using a strong online marketing presence make their message heard. With over 1000 facebook fans, a presence on twitter and youtube the target audiences are being reached. The popularity of the events hosted by the Roanoke based organizations is clear from the awards and media coverage.
If you have questions for Ride Solutions and Bike Roanoke they can be contacted at 1-866-424-3334.
Links
http://www.facebook.com/ridesolutions?sk=wall
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