"Bike to Books" -- an event that encourages eco-friendly practices, reading, exercise, and plain old fun -- is scheduled for May 20 and 21.
For two days, anyone who rides his or her bike to Present Tense Books on Washington Avenue in Batavia will receive a discount on their entire purchase and a discount coupon for bike accessories from Adam Miller Toy & Bicycle.
In addition, they will be entered to win a Cateye® cycle computer courtesy of Adam Miller. A gift certificate to Present Tense will be awarded to the person(s) who bikes the farthest.
According to the League of American Bicyclists, cycling as little as four miles can prevent 15 pounds of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere. In addition, the average cyclist burns between 400 and 550 calories during an hour of cycling.
“This is a really fun event that is great for the whole family,” said Erica Caldwell, owner of Present Tense. “With gas prices skyrocketing, this is an inexpensive way to enjoy the outdoors and get in shape while encouraging your kids to read.”
This year marks the fourth such collaboration between the two stores. In previous years, participants biked in from as far away as Akron, NY. The event began in 2007 as a creative spin on May as National Bike Month, which encourages people to ride to work, ride to the grocery store, or, in this case, ride to read.
“Bike to Books is a great way for independent businesses to team up and offer a unique event to the community,” said John Roche, owner of Adam Miller Toy & Bicycle, a cornerstone Batavia business for nearly 100 years.
The two business owners have worked together on several events and promotions in the past, an effort that emphasizes the importance of keeping shopping dollars in the local economy. "Bike to Books" is one such collaborative event that yields rewards for all participants.
“Bicycling means good exercise, environmentally friendly travel, and a way to really appreciate the sights you see along the way,” Caldwell said. “We want to see bikes lined up all along the front of our store during this event!”
The "Bike to Books" event is free and open to the public. Present Tense, a locally owned, independent bookstore, is located at 101 Washington Ave., Batavia, NY. Adam Miller Toy & Bicycle is located at 8 Center St., Batavia NY. For more information call (585) 815-7640, or visit www.presenttensebooks.com <http://www.presenttensebooks.com>.
