Yes, we’re in this business to sell bikes.  But we’ve got a conscience, too.  We have a tremendous respect and appreciation for the blood, sweat and tears shed by organizations all around the world that promote bicycling, safety, and health.  We support many of these organizations.  Here are three examples:

BIKES BELONG

We enthusiastically support the Bikes Belong Coalition, a non-profit advocacy group with a simple, yet noble cause: to make bicycling convenient, fun and safe.  Bikes Belong provides guidance and grants for this mission—more than $1,000,000 since 1999 to communities and organizations in 40 states and the District of Columbia.  That “seed” money bloomed into more than $450,000,000 in federal, state and private funding for projects ranging from bike trails to BMX parks to safe routes to schools. Check out: www.bikesbelong.org

IMBA

Count us in as well with the International Mountain Bicycling Association.  As a member organization, we’ve contributed annually to support IMBA in helping to keep trails open to riders and to educate those riders about the rules of the trail.  Speak. Build. Respect. Ride.  Read more at: www.imba.com 

TOUR de PINK

Giant for Women is a proud sponsor of the 2007 York Tour de Pink.  The dates:  September 27-30.  The route: Times Square, New York City to Hershey, PA.  The cause: Raise funds for the Young Survivor Coalition and increase awareness of the critical concerns unique to young women with breast cancer.  Registration will be limited to 100 riders, so contact the YSC for details on how to register as a rider or volunteer.  For more information, email: tourdepink@youngsurvival.org

GET INVOLVED

Some need your cash.  Some need your time.  They all need your help.  If you’re looking for get involved somehow, someway with some advocacy group that enjoys riding as much as you do, consider one (or more) of the following.

Trips for Kids provides access to bicycles and promotes a cycling lifestyle to underprivileged youngsters who don’t have these opportunities.  More at: www.tripsforkids.org

The Conejo Valley Cyclists in Thousand Oaks, CA (in Giant’s own backyard) has provided dozens of bikes over the years for needy children through its “Cruisin’ the Conejo” century ride.  Giant Bicycle, Inc. has taken part. So can you, at: www.cvcbike.org

The Concerned Off-Road Bicyclist Association is committed to maintaining and gaining mountain bike riding access to trails in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas.  Learn more at:
www.corbamtb.com

Amgen’s “Breakaway from Cancer” initiative is a complimentary component to the company’s sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California.  More than 1million dollars has been raised to support The Wellness Community and the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship.  Details at: www.breakawayfromcancern.com

The Bicycle Kitchen of Los Angeles is a non-profit learning space where the mission is to make bicycles accessible to all people, and to provide a place where cyclists can learn about building and riding bikes.  At: www.bicyclekitchen.com

The Bikes Belong Coalition provides guidance and grants to make bicycling convenient, fun and safe. Their “seed” money has bloomed into more than $450,000,000 in federal, state and private funding for projects ranging from bike trails to BMX parks to safe routes to schools throughout 40 states and the District of Columbia. Check out: www.bikesbelong.org

The International Mountain Bicycling Association works to keep trails open to riders and to educate those riders about the rules of the trail:  Speak.  Build.  Respect.  Ride.  Read more at: www.imba.com 

The 2007 York Tour de Pink rolls from Times Square in New York City to Hershey, PA, in late September. Riders will raise money for the Young Survivor Coalition and increase awareness of the critical concerns unique to young women with breast cancer. Register as a rider or volunteer.  For more information, email: tourdepink@youngsurvival.org