Sometimes two wheels are better than four. Retire Your Ride, Canada’s National Vehicle Recycling Program, announced today that, effective immediately, participants are being offered up to $490 off the purchase of a new, high-end commuter bicycle through a national partnership with the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada (BTAC). More information can be found in the attached Information Sheet

“The goal of Retire Your Ride is not only to improve air quality by reducing the number of older cars on the road, but also to promote the use of sustainable transportation,” said Fatima Dharsee, Executive Director of Clean Air Foundation. “We’re encouraging Canadians to think about trading in four wheels for two - an act that will benefit both the environment and their health.”

In addition to the many other incentives already available across the country such as transit passes, car sharing program discounts and $300 cash, Canadians can now choose a reward of up to 70 per cent off a new, high-end commuter bicycle from participating BTAC retailers. The incentive is national, with a number of retailers taking part in each province. Participating bicycle manufacturers include Specialized, Norco, Marin, Devinci, Opus (OGC), Rocky Mountain (Procycle) and Jamis (RB Inc.).

“Bicycles can make an important contribution to the health and well-being of Canadians,” said Janet O’Connell, Executive Director of the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada. “By partnering with Retire Your Ride, we are reminding Canadians that bicycles are also an important contributor to the health and well-being of the environment, and a key element of sustainable transportation.”

Retire Your Ride is a national program designed to effectively and efficiently retire 1995 model year or older vehicles in an environmentally responsible manner, in an effort to improve air quality and encourage the use of sustainable transportation. The Retire Your Ride program is delivered nationally by Clean Air Foundation, funded by the Government of Canada and supported by a network of experienced regional delivery agents across the country, as well as a national network of automotive recyclers.

Participating in the program is simple. Canadians with vehicles that are 1995 model year or older, in running condition and have been registered and insured for the last six months (12 months in British Columbia) can call 1-877-773-1996 or log on to www.retireyourride.ca.

Having only launched a few months ago, Retire Your Ride has already permanently retired more than 7,600 vehicles. The launch of the new national bicycle incentive will only provide further incentive for Canadians to participate in the program.

The Government of Canada has committed $92 million over four years to the Retire Your Ride program to help Canadians recycle their older, higher polluting vehicles and make sustainable transportation choices, leading to reduced air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

About Clean Air Foundation - cleanairfoundation.org
Clean Air Foundation is dedicated to developing programs that focus on improved air quality and preventing climate change through a simple model of public engagement and reward. All programs drive societal participation and promote behavioural change by making better environmental choices easy, contributing to a sustained positive and measureable impact on the environment.

About Bicycle Trade Association of Canada - btac.org
The Bicycle Trade Association of Canada (BTAC) is the hub of the bicycling industry in Canada. We have a singular mission and clear responsibility: to advance the business goals of our members, the retailers and suppliers that together comprise the bicycling industry in Canada. We help our members to grow their businesses by providing programs and services in four interrelated areas: knowledge, advocacy and education, information, and events.

About Regional Delivery Agents
The Retire Your Ride network of delivery agents include the following: Scrap-it in British Columbia; Climate Change Central in Alberta; Saskatchewan Environmental Society in Saskatchewan; Manitoba Lung Association in Manitoba; Clean Air Foundation in Ontario; Association québécoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique (AQLPA) in Quebec; the New Brunswick Lung Association in New Brunswick; the Prince Edward Island Lung Association (in collaboration with New Brunswick Lung Association) in Prince Edward Island; Clean Nova Scotia in Nova Scotia; Newfoundland and Labrador Lung Association in Newfoundland and Labrador.