New bike fleet launched on Kid Day

Countryside Public Health, SHIP (Statewide Health Improvement Program), Benson Schools, and Benson Community Education are teaming up to start a bike fleet in Benson called “Benson Bikes! Stay Fit, Have Fun! Bike. Walk. Run.”.  
The effort, which will help promote safe biking and active living in Benson, launched on Kid Day, and is currently available at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Benson; just south of Roosevelt Park in Benson.
There will be two kids’ bikes and one adult bike located at Pilgrim Congregational for kids and adults to freely use on an honor system.  SHIP bikes and the SHIP bike rack will be turquoise. The “Benson Bikes” bike rack will have a sign attached in English on one side and Spanish on the other.  
Helmets are not provided, but riders are strongly encouraged to use them. Bikers should also remember to follow the rules of the road and no riding after dark.  All bikes should be returned to the matching blue bike rack after use, each day.  Please be respectful toward the SHIP bikes and the bike fleet program.  
The bikes were ridden through the Benson Kid Day Parade and stationed at the bike rack so members of the community can start using them right away.  
The bikes will be available during the summer and fall of this year.  Keep an eye out for the bike fixit station to come.  This orange fixit station will also be stationed at Pilgrim’s Congregational.
The Countryside SHIP co-coordinators are Amber Amdahl, Ortonville office and Ashlie Johnson, Benson office.
 
Pictured: Three bikes are available for the community to use for free.  Bikers are reminded to use the rules of the road and to return the bikes to the “Benson Bikes” rack each night. The “Benson Bikes” sign gives the rules and conditions for using the free “on your honor” system.  The bikes are easily identified with their turquoise blue coloring.