BOULDER, COLORADO (May 4, 2011) – With less than three weeks until Boulder B-cycle’s official launch on May 20, local businesses, organizations and individuals are stepping up to sponsor the program and help make bike sharing in Boulder a reality.
Among the program’s sponsorship benefits is the unique opportunity for businesses to utilize space on B-stations (the system will launch with 12 and grow throughout the summer) and B-cycles (100 shiny red bikes at first rollout), displaying a business or brand’s alignment with clean, green and health-conscious mobility.
It’s a departure from traditional promotional opportunities in Boulder, which are limited due to strict City of Boulder signage code.
The University of Colorado-Boulder is lending its name and support to the B-station at 19th Street and the Boulder Creek Path, and Google, which contributed a $25,000 community grant to Boulder B-cycle’s capital fundraising efforts earlier this year, is sponsoring its local B-station at 26th and Pearl Street.
Other B-station sponsors include the Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant (11th and Pearl), the law office of Holme Roberts & Owen (13th and Walnut), City of Boulder Parking Services (15th and Pearl), Whole Foods (28th Street) and UCAR, which is sponsoring stations at its Center Green and Mitchell Lane campuses.
Individually, these B-station sponsorships represent (at minimum) an $8,000 annual commitment.
“The support for bike sharing from these local businesses and organizations is very exciting,” said Elizabeth Train, Boulder B-cycle’s Director of Community of Engagement. “We’re thrilled and honored to see the community step up and get involved in the bike-share effort.”
“The City of Boulder Parking Services is excited to sponsor a B-station because we want to support all access options in Boulder,” said Donna Jobert of Boulder Parking Services. “Boulder B-cycle adds another convenience by adding a ‘last mile’ opportunity.”
In addition to B-station sponsorships, local companies of all sizes are utilizing the on-bike basket space to show their support for bike sharing in Boulder. Leading that charge is Downtown Boulder, Inc., a non-profit organization focused on promoting and enhancing the downtown area. DBI contributed $10,000 to Boulder B-cycle, securing space on 10 B-cycle baskets.
Other basket sponsors include Melton Construction, Avery Brewing Company, and GoLite, a Boulder-based outdoor clothing and gear company, among others.
“Living locally is what Jacque Michelle and Boulder B-cycle are all about,” said Janet Taffet, owner of Jacque Michelle Gifts & Apparel. Her store is right near the B-station at Broadway and Alpine, and she’s supporting the program through basket sponsorship. “Bike local, Shop local!” she added.
Individual Boulder’ites are stepping up in a big way, too. Alex and Ana Bogusky have purchased 50 B-cycles worth of basket sponsorships to use for Ads2Art, transforming the traditional logo space into a public art project. And Rob Schuham is personally sponsoring a B-station to forward Boulder’s bike-share cause.
Other B-cycle friends and supporters are joining Boulder B-cycle’s Founding Member and Handlebar Clubs to help underwrite the capital costs of the Boulder B-cycle launch system. Founding Memberships are just $250, and include an annual membership and a limited-edition Boulder B-cycle “B” patch that can be worn with pride to show support for bike sharing.
Entry to the Handlebar Club is $1000, and enables the donor to post a personal message on a B-cycle for five years. Local Boulder filmmaker and photographer Mat Barlow was one of the Club’s first members. His message: “Mom and Dad, thanks for teaching me to ride a bike. Best. Gift. Ever.”
Boulder B-cycle couldn’t agree more.
For the full picture of Boulder B-cycle’s corporate sponsors and partners, click here.
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