What better way to publicize the advantages of urban bicycling to national decision-makers than to make 1,000 bicycles available for use at the upcoming Democratic and Republican national conventions.

The new Freewheelin' bike-sharing program will be in Denver and Minneapolis-St. Paul during the conventions to lend out the free bicycles to anyone with picture ID and credit card.

The Humana health insurance company is behind the Freewheelin program, in partnership with the Bikes Belong advocacy group.

Bike stations

The bikes will be available at eight bike stations in the convention and hotel areas of each city from about 7 a.m. 'til 7 p.m. or later. Users don't have to be associated with the conventions; they just need to show a picture ID to ensure identity and a credit card to ensure against theft.

We all know that bike use at the conventions should reduce their carbon footprint, as well as reduce traffic and parking problems. Plus, wouldn't it just be more fun to ride a bike from the hotel to the convention site?

I'm told the bicycles were donated by Trek, Schwinn, Raleigh, Specialized, Fuji and Giant. After the conventions, Humana will be donating 70 bikes and the kiosks in each convention city for a bike-sharing program.

The bikes will be available in Denver at the Democratic National Convention from Aug. 25 to 28, and in Minneapolis-St. Paul at the Republican National Convention from Sept. 1-4.

Source: Bike Bis