By Shawna Windom
Dasani, the bottled-water subsidiary of Coca-Cola, and the city of Provo hope to see more bikes being used in Provo, specifically blue bikes.
Saturday morning marked the kick-off of Provo?s Blue Bikes program at Plum Tree Shopping Center.
The Blue Bikes program, sponsored by Dasani, is trying to draw attention to the opportunity communities have to get active. The program has spread to eight metro areas throughout the nation, including Provo.
?Provo is a perfect place for the program,? Raylene Ireland, director of Community and Government Relations, said. ?With almost 15 miles of trail just in Provo city and the young people already active here, it?s just a perfect place for the program in our community.?
Dasani will donate 20 bikes to the city of Provo for the public to use for free, she said.
The bikes will be housed throughout Provo, including the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center and Provo City Center, she said. Cards will be issued to all those who would like to take advantage of the donated bikes, and they will be able to use them at will.
Ireland said she hopes the program will not only push residents to a healthier lifestyle but also create less of a dependence on motor vehicles that harm the environment.
?The purpose for having the Blue Bikes program here is to heighten awareness of physical activity in Provo,? said Shawn Seager of the Mountainland Association of Governments. ?People will be able to have the opportunity to exercise daily and just have a happier lifestyle.?
Dasani gave Mayor Lewis Billings a check Saturday for $70,000. This includes the price of bikes, lockers, parkway benches and other aids in the program.
