Join BikeNet 2013 Membership Drive runs now through Nov. 14, 2013.  We’d love you to join us!

The benefits to you:

• You’ll be invited to our membership appreciation event in November
• All members will be entered to win door prizes and our grand prize- a Mountain Hardware tent donated by The Base Camp
• You’ll be invited to other members-only events
• You’ll have first dibs on volunteer opportunities with BikeNet, like being a tap puller at Ales for Trails
• You will receive our e-newsletter once per month, covering information relevant to Billings trails and active transportation in our area
• You will be mailed a BikeNet sticker and thank you receipt

The benefits to BikeNet:

• The more people involved in trail planning, advocacy and promotion, the better! We can do more to achieve our mission when we have a strong resource base of involved and informed volunteers
• Membership provides a consistent funding stream year-round, to supplement our annual fundraiser, Ales for Trails

Join online here

Press Release:

BikeNet Reaches 150 Members

 

Billings, Montana- Monday, October 28, 2013– For the first time in the organization’s 14-year history, BikeNet has a record breaking 150 members and that number is climbing as the campaign moves into its second month.

 

Before the membership drive, BikeNet had fewer than 20 members. According to BikeNet’s Executive Director Kristi Drake, “BikeNet has had many volunteers who have wanted to become more involved in our organization. Our new membership program gives people a way to contribute to the trail system in some meaningful ways. When people sign up to be members, we have a mechanism in place to learn their interests and in which areas they’d like to volunteer; we have goal-oriented committees people can join; and their membership fee provides a consistent funding stream to help provide funds for trail projects.”

 

Members of BikeNet have already touted the rewards. Stephen Morgan, a BikeNet member enjoys being involved. Morgan said, “The reason I joined BikeNet was to further the cause to help a great organization. I think that it’s great they are trying to expand the use of safe and easily accessible bike paths and bike lanes.”

 

Being a member allows the community stay apprised of what BikeNet is doing in the community. Morgan added, “ The benefits of being a member are nice because they keep you up to date on how to help the cause.  I like being in the loop with the emails, Facebook, and Twitter. It helps me think of what I can do to help BikeNet.”

 

There are two ways someone can become a member of BikeNet. The simplest way is to go online towww.bikenet.org and click the “join” button, or they can sign up in person at The Spoke Shop, located on 19th and Broadwater, or Red Rover Bicycle Collective, located downtown at 11 South 30th St.

 

BikeNet offers a variety of memberships, which vary in price for students, individuals, families and businesses. Members also receive a BikeNet sticker to show support of the trails, an invitation to BikeNet’s member appreciation event on November 14, 2013, first pick at opportunities to volunteer, an email newsletter on the latest Billings trail news and an option to vote in board elections.

 

BikeNet and its board of directors will be hosting a member appreciation event, sponsored by Lonewolf Energy Inc., November 14th, 2013, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will be held at Yellowstone Cellars & Winery, where Lonewolf Energy will provide wine and hors d’oeuvres. Members will have a chance to network with fellow trail advocates and the BikeNet organization.

 

Among several prizes, a Mountain Hardwear Three Corners Tent, donated by The Base Camp and valued at $300, will be raffled. All new members will be automatically registered for the drawing.

 

BikeNet provides much needed community match funds for government funding sources for trail improvement projects such as Big Ditch Trail, Descro Park Trail, Lampman Strip Park Trail, Main Street Underpass, Bannister Trail, Broadwater Trail and Swords Park amenities.  Since 2003, community match funds through BikeNet have totaled more than $206,000.

 

By providing matching funds for these projects, our community has been able to build more than $3.3 million worth of multiuse trails.  Memberships will help connect people, bring more diversity and ideas to the organization, and provide a consistent funding stream to further BikeNet’s mission.  Funds raised through memberships can support active transportation in many ways: for instance, over a year, one $10 monthly membership would buy a bike rack or approximately 9 feet of paved trail, and a $25 monthly membership would pave 23 feet of trail or 40 feet of a bike lane.

 

BikeNet is a nonprofit (501c3), grassroots organization whose mission is to promote a complete, community-wide trail system.  Our vision is the Billings area as a premier community for healthy lifestyles and active transportation where biking and walking are safe and an integral part of everyday activity. Learn more athttps://bikenet.org/ or call 406-281-1244.