As anyone who’s blown a tire on the side of the highway can attest, on-the-road bicycle repairs can be a stressful ordeal.
Fortunately for the flat-tire-afflicted, the BCAA has rolled out the Bike Assist program, just in time for June (which is Bike Month, don’t you know). Now you can get your very own tow-truck-driving saviour the next time your chain breaks halfway between Hope and Lillooet—or on the side of the Lougheed Highway for that matter.
According to BCAA assistant product manager Marina Tungland, current card-carrying members automatically qualify and can phone for bike- or car-related assistance interchangeably. BCAA's certified mechanics have all received basic bike maintenance training, she says, and can fix flats, replace chains, and make other minor adjustments.
However, for “heavy-duty” repairs, cyclists and their bikes will be given a lift to the nearest bike shop, or their home. Don’t bother asking drivers to break a lock, either—or push you up a steep hill.
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If you don’t own a car or a BCAA membership (hence the biking), you’re out of luck—at least for now. According to Tungland, “We don’t have a cycling membership yet. We are looking to assess the success of Bike Assist … before we introduce something like that specifically for cyclists.”
Until then, the car-free crowd will still have to get greasy—or shell out for a basic membership, which will set you back about $80.
For more information, visit the BCAA’s Bike Assist web page.