Nice Ride Minnesota Receives Strong Support from Twin Cities Businesses

Prominent leaders join forces to aid one of the first bike share programs in nation

MINNEAPOLIS--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--As Nice Ride Minnesota gears up to roll in to Minneapolis June 10, Twin Cities business leaders are joining forces in collaboration for one of the first -- and biggest -- bike share programs in the country.

“This was an opportunity to tangibly contribute to our community and really promote smart environmental solutions”

“Recruiting these businesses for our launch was a very strategic choice,” said Bill Dossett, executive director of Nice Ride Minnesota. “These Twin Cities firms are some of the best in the country at what they do. We wanted their support, just as they want their city to be known for vitality and innovation. They want Minneapolis to lead the nation on bike share.”

Nice Ride Minnesota is a bicycle rental program that will allow subscribers to rent a bicycle for short periods from a self-service kiosk and, after riding to their destination, drop the bike off at another kiosk nearby. Phase 1 will bring 1,000 bikes and 75 kiosks into the city of Minneapolis.

Joe Duffy, chairman and principal of the internationally recognized design and branding firm Duffy & Partners, was among the first to donate his services to the program.

Duffy & Partners designed the project’s branding identity, which will be seen on every bicycle, kiosk and promotion.

“This was an opportunity to tangibly contribute to our community and really promote smart environmental solutions,” Duffy said. “As proponents of healthy, active living, we are very excited to work on projects that share our passion.”

With Duffy & Partners and the Dorsey & Whitney law firm leading the effort, other prominent businesses were quick to follow.

“A program like this is going to have such a positive impact on the community,” said Katherine Roepke, president of Roepke Public Relations in Minneapolis. Roepke is providing media relations for the program pre and post launch.

“Bicycling Magazine already ranks us as the no. 1 biking city in the United States. Nice Ride Minnesota is one more way we can show the world how progressive the Twin Cities are.”

Nice Ride Minnesota’s chief financial support comes from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and Bike Walk Twin Cities. Nice Ride Minnesota is using these funds to buy bikes and bike share stations.

“But building a new business from the ground up takes a lot more than equipment. This team of amazing local businesses has provided hundreds of hours of comprehensive professional services,” Dossett said.

For the Dorsey & Whitney law firm, Nice Ride Minnesota was more than just a donation. The firm not only helped legally establish the nonprofit and negotiate sponsors; partner Perry Wilson also volunteers on the Nice Ride board of directors.

“This is a rare chance to truly change the face of our city,” Wilson said. “We’re excited and proud to be a part of something so innovative.”

Businesses like the branding and advertising firm mono also saw an opportunity to help shape the Twin Cities’ future.

“We’re extremely supportive of a bike share program – more than a few of our own employees regularly bike to work,” said Michael Hart, creative director and founder at mono. “For us, this was more than just business. It was a chance to positively impact our community.”

Nice Ride partners included:

• Roepke Public Relations: Facilitating Media Relations strategy for pre and post launch public awareness
• Duffy & Partners: Created the brand identity of Nice Ride Minnesota
• Dorsey & Whitney: Provided legal services to establish nonprofit organization and negotiate key contracts
• mono: Created and developed the marketing and advertising campaign to launch the Nice Ride Minnesota brand and introduce bike sharing to Minneapolis
• Grant Thornton: Established accounting systems and managed the organization’s finances
• Clockwork: Developed the niceridemn.org web site
• Roundpeg: Performed market research to shape the bike share program to fit Minneapolis

“Without the support of the incredible local businesses within this community, the Nice Ride Minnesota system would not be a possibility,” Dossett said. “The time and assistance is invaluable to this program and we are truly appreciative of all of the hard work, dedication and involvement.”