PedalSecure is a new, nationwide company based in Beaverton (just a few miles west of Portland) that offers comprehensive roadside assistance specifically for bicycle riders.
For as little as $9.95 per month, PedalSecure offers “peace of mind” that you will be taken care of during your ride; whether you lose your U-lock key, need a free ride home, or need a roadside flat fix. They’ll even take you to a shop and pay for your repairs (subject to a list of services and a $150.00 dollar limit of course).
PedalSecure.
The company was co-founed by Beaverton resident Kathleen Vasconcellos, who tells me she got the idea from Parker Hayes, an employee of the Beaverton Bike Gallery. Vasconcellos and Parker’s father Dewey, are partners in the company.
According to Vasconcellos, PedalSecure sprung from their love of biking and “seeing the economy fall apart and the need for more people to use alternate ways to travel”. Vasnconcellos says one of the main reasons they believe people don’t commute by bike (especially longer distances) is because they are concerned about getting stuck or stranded with no way of getting back home or to work.
“So we put our heads together,” she wrote, and then added,
“and came up with what we think is the perfect solution: Low cost membership that will pick up the member and take them either home, work or to the bike shop to have the bike repaired. We will pay the shop to repair the bike for what it was transported for.”
Here’s what you get by being a PedalSecure member (taken from their website):
24 / 365 – Toll Free Emergency Pickup:
In the event that a member is involved in a breakdown that renders a covered bicycle un-rideable, the member is entitled to be picked up – free of charge…
Emergency Bicycle Roadside Service:
When a participating member’s bicycle becomes disabled, 3 miles or more, from the member’s home, Pedal Secure will dispatch one of its service vehicles to deliver the bicycle and rider to the nearest Pedal Secure Authorized Bicycle Dealer…
“Peace of mind is what we strive for so more bicyclists will ride more often.”
— Kathleen Vasconcellos, co-founder.
Lost Key – Lockout Service:
In the event a member loses his or her key to a registered locked bicycle, Pedal Secure will send a service representative to cut the lock.
Accident Recovery Service:
In the event member is in a bicycle accident NOT involving a motor vehicle and member is unable to power his/her bicycle home, or member has to be taken to the hospital, Pedal Secure will pickup the members bicycle and store the bicycle for the member.
24-Hour Emergency Bicycle Locator:
In the event a member’s bicycle is stolen or abandoned, member received a special coded decal with Pedal Securer’s 24-hour service number for passerby, police, sanitation or other officials to call when they observe the member’s stolen and/or abandoned bicycle.
24-Hour Nationwide Emergency Room Locator:
When biking across the country, if a member becomes sick or injured; just call the 24-hour emergency room locator operator for the nearest emergency room. Operator will provide member with the location and directions to the nearest emergency room or urgent care facility.
And here’s how much all this peace of mind will set you back:
Vasconcellos says they’re aware of Better World Club, another company that offers bicycle roadside assistance, but she says they offer a much more comprehensive list of services (“more than just transportation”).
For Vasconcellos, this is more than a business opportunity, it’s something their team believes in. “We all have found such tremendous satisfaction with putting this company together and knowing deep down how much this membership will help the bike community. Peace of mind is what we strive for so more bicyclists will ride more often.”
For more details about PedalSecure and information on how to join, check out PedalSecure.com.