TORONTO (BRAIN)—Retire Your Ride, Canada’s National Vehicle Recycling Program, announced a new initiative this week that gives participants 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).
“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 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.
In the last few months, Retire Your Ride has already permanently retired more than 7,600 vehicles. 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.
For more information, visit www.retireyourride.ca.
