June 29, 2009 (Toronto, ON) — Sometimes two wheels are better than four. Retire Your Ride, Canada’s National Vehicle Recycling Program announced today that effective immediately, participants are being offered 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 effectively and efficiently 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.

Participating in the program is simple. Canadians with vehicles that are 1995 model year or older, in running condition and have been registered and insured for the last six months (12 months in British Columbia) can call 1-877-773-1996 or log on to www.retireyourride.ca.

Having only launched a few months ago, Retire Your Ride has already permanently retired more than 7,600 vehicles. The launch of the new national bicycle incentive will only provide further incentive for Canadians to participate in the program.

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.