How would you like to win a brand new folding bike for free?

The economy has put the pinch on a lot of people. Even if you're out of a job, you still need to get around and a folding bike is a great way to do it. So here's the deal:

RideTHISbike.com is giving away a brand new E-Z Pack folding bike including free shipping anywhere within the USA lower 48 states. To apply, post an appeal on RideTHISbike.com explaining why YOU deserve to get a free bike. At 5pm Central Time on Earth Day 2009 (April 22nd), a brand new E-Z Pack folding bike will be awarded based on voting by readers of the RideTHISbike.com email newsletter and a panel of inspirational and respected bicycle enthusiasts (see who's on the judging panel).

How To Submit An Entry
Using the "Email Us" link listed at the bottom of this web page (just below the RideTHISbike.com telephone number), write and submit why YOU deserve to get a free bike. Entries may be no longer than 1500 words; however, to beef up your case, you may also shoot a YouTube video and include a link to that as well. Eligible entries will be posted on RideTHISbike.com.

When To Submit An Entry
Entries will be accepted from 6 March 2009 through 6 April 2009.

Eligible Entries
Anyone can enter but only US participants with a delivery address in the USA are eligible to receive a free bike. No purchase is necessary to win; however, purchase any bike from RideTHISbike.com during the entry submission dates (shown above) and you will be eligible to receive a free E-Z Pack or a $159 credit instead (your choice).

Ineligible Entries
Entries that are sexually explicit, defamatory or include cursing are ineligible; they will be disqualified from voting and will not be displayed. Residents of Cuba, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Myanmar (formerly Burma), Romania, Sudan, Syria, or the province of Quebec in Canada are ineligible to participate. The Contest is void in these countries and where prohibited or restricted by law. RideTHISbike.com reserves the right to limit, or restrict upon notice, participation in the Contest to any person at any time for any reason.

VOTING
How To Vote
To vote on entries, click on the "Folding Bike Giveaway - Vote Now!" link here or at the top left of this page, then enter your email address and click the "Submit" button. You will be asked to confirm your email address and will need to check the box next to "Vote On Free Bike Giveaway Entries". Once you click "Save Profile Changes", you'll be eligible to vote and voters receive 5% off the purchase cost of a bike (for details, see "5% Voter Discount" below).

Voting
Round 1
Voters will be notified weekly regarding the contest entries received. On 7 April 2009, ballots containing the contest entries will be emailed to each voter. If there are 20 or less giveaway contestants, each voter will receive just one ballot and voters will have until 21 April 2009 to submit their ballot. If there are more than 20 giveaway contestants, each voter will receive additional ballots (so voters can vote on all the contestants) and voting on these initial ballots will end on 13 April 2009 to provide time for a run off (Round 2).

Round 2
From 14 April 2009 to 21 April 2009, a second and final round of voting will occur. Voters may select from the top entrant in each group of 20 entries and may cast 1 final vote. The entrant that receives the most votes in Round 2 will win the folding bike. The winner will be announced on 22 April 2009 (Earth Day).

5% Voter Discount
Voters that purchase a bike from RideTHISbike.com by 1 May 2009 are eligible to receive a 5% discount off the purchase price. This discount cannot be combined with any other discount and is not eligible on sale items, taxes or shipping.

So what are you waiting for? Start working on that winning entry today!

NOTE: If you have any additional questions about voting, see the Voting FAQ.

Labels: folding-bike-giveaway, Free-folding-bike-giveaway