By Jessica Hudgins
SDUN Reporter
The program was founded by Skye Boyer, owner of Velo Cult bike shop, 2220 Fern St. in South Park. The idea is to get people to ride their bikes for everyday errands and activities.
“We want people to stop thinking that biking is only something you can do to commute to and from work,” Boyer said. “I want people to start using their bikes like they do in Copenhagen—for everything. For going on dates, going to the coffee shop and going to the grocery store.”
Boyer has registered 45 businesses for discounts since launching the program two months ago. He said he hopes to have at least 100 participating by the time the program is a year old.
A few of the participating businesses include: Alchemy Restaurant, 1503 30th St., 15 percent discount; True North Tavern, 3815 30th St., 10 percent; and the Whistle Stop Bar, 2236 Fern St., 10 percent. No membership card is required. For a full list of participating businesses and their available discounts go to sdbikecommuter.com.
Boyer began recruiting businesses for SD Bike Commuter on 30th Street, a North Park to South Park route known for small, locally owned businesses. But he said he isn’t trying to keep the program exclusive to any neighborhood in San Diego.
“The goal here is to get all of San Diego County involved,” he said. Hillcrest and Ocean Beach are just a few of his next targets of his campaign. “As long as they are locally owned and independent, I want them on board.”
The only requirement of the program is that businesses be locally owned and independent—“big box businesses,” as Boyer calls them, will not be allowed in the program, which is not only meant to benefit bikers but small businesses as well, he said.
Businesses who choose to participate have more to look forward to than just a couple of bikes parked out front.
“They’ll get more people coming to their business on a bike and that means more parking spots,” Boyer said. “And nothing generates more crowds than crowds. If people see a bunch of bikes somewhere, the place will look busy, it will look young and hip and also more green.”
The one-year fee for participating businesses is $50, which covers the cost of a custom wood sign for exterior display and exposure on the program’s website. Businesses can dictate how much of a discount they want to offer to bikers. Boyer does not reap any profits from the program.
“I hope people will get around town a little bit,” he said. “Go on dates on their bikes. Once you do it a few times, the addictive aspect of it really catches on and it might turn into a lifelong thing.”
