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The Northwest leads the way.
Bicycling has gotten so popular in Boise and Portland that the Idaho/Oregon AAA has become the first American Automobile Association chapter in the nation to offer roadside assistance to members whose bikes break down.
The program will start July 15.
“Bicycling is a form of transportation. Whether for commuting or recreation or simply a way to address downfalls in the economy, more people are going to be riding their bikes,” AAA Idaho spokesman Dave Carlson said. “Our members drive cars, but many also ride bikes.”
Here’s how it would work:
The AAA won’t fix your flat in the street, but the group will take you home or to work or a bike shop — as long as your destination is within 25 miles of the breakdown, and the breakdown happened on a public or residential road. The service, only available in southern Idaho and Oregon, is not a standalone program, but part of the AAA membership, which runs $105 to $175 for the first year and a little less to renew each year.
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