TOPEKA, Kan. (BRAIN) — AAA Kansas, working with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism, as introduced a program to help prevent cyclists from getting stranded with a mechanical problem.
Last year AAA Kansas began offering roadside bicycle assistance to its members. AAA offers that service in several other states and regions, including Colorado, New England, Washington and the Mid-Atlantic AAA region.
The new Kansas program goes further, with the creation of "Bike Service Point" repairs stations at some Kansas state parks and along the Prairie Spirit Trail, a 51-mile route. Future phases will expand the service station program to other bike trails and heavily used cycling corridors across the state.
Each repair location includes signage that provides a toll-free phone number and location identifier. Cyclists needing assistance call the phone number, which goes to AAA Roadside Assistance dispatch, and provide the location identifier. The dispatcher will then send a AAA roadside service technician who can transport the bike and rider home or to a bike shop. Cyclists who are not AAA members may also use the AAA Bicycle Service but will pay a charge.
"AAA Kansas is excited to partner with KDWPT to introduce this important service to benefit cyclists in Kansas," said Jennifer Haugh, manager of public and government affairs for AAA Kansas. "The new Kansas Bike Service Points will give bicyclists in our state peace of mind that if they have mechanical issues or breakdowns, repair resources will be available or AAA roadside assistance will be just a call away."
