Folding bike contest winner Meg Ferber sent me the following email regarding the arrival of her new E-Z Pack folding bike.

Today was the day! I had refused to go anyplace all week until it was dark enough that I was convinced that UPS had gone home for the night. I didn't want to miss a moment of the experience of receiving my bike. I didn't want to look in my mailbox and find a UPS notice saying "we were here, where were you!" Late in the day, I went down to walk my dog, naturally only in areas where I could continue to keep a sharp eye out for the "Wells Fargo Wagon."

I was totally surprised to see a small carton sitting in the foyer, it was marked E-Z Pak, and my name was on it! *

The bike was well packed and undamaged from shipping. It was snug in its box and it took some pulling to get this little bundle out. I am 5'1" and the bike folded didn't even come up to my knees; it is a nice small, compact, package.

The instructions were uncomplicated and everything went together w/o any difficulty. Most of the bike was actually already assembled and just needed the handlebars, seat and pedals put on. Even the extras, such as the kick stand, the fenders, the carry rack, the many reflectors and the little ding-dong bell were already attached.

I took it down to a really good, professional bike mechanic to check it out and make sure that I had put the bike together correctly. He tightened, straightened, oiled and admired the E-Z Pack and declared it a great little bike. I had met Matt C. when, as preparation for receiving my bike, I went to his bike maintenance course in Burlington, Vt.

I think that the bike is great looking! It's picture doesn't do it justice. It has a classy, unfussy look that is sleek and attractive. I only took a short spin on it once it got it's checkup and was very pleased. Then weather closed in and we went home. I'll write about this more once I ride him again.

Him? I have been reading bicycling blogs and see that some seem to name their bikes. I decided to do so too. It wasn't hard to decide on a name. The bike, with it's sparkling silver finish practically named itself; Hi Ho Silver! (maybe it's a generational thing-12" tv's and Roy Rogers)

Sounds like I'll be getting more info from Meg concerning her new E-Z Pack folder. When that arrives, I'll post it as well.

Labels: E-Z-Pack-folding-bike, Free-folding-bike-giveaway, Meg-Ferber

by Larry Lagarde

Yesterday was the final day to vote on who should receive a new E-Z Pack folding bike absolutely free through the RideTHISbike.com Folding Bike Giveaway. Gladly, the consensus was clear. With a huge margin of votes in her favor, M. Ferber of Burlington, Vermont won the folding bike.

I called Mrs. Ferber to personally give her the news and she was quite excited. She had been looking at bicycles that fold for some time now but could not make up her mind which bike to go with. I suppose the contest solved that problem. ;-)

Mrs. Ferber has offered to send us a photo of her with the bike and to let everyone know what she thinks of her new E-Z Pack folder. Since the bike will be shipping out tomorrow, perhaps we'll be able to post her photo or review within the next two weeks. Stay tuned.

Being that today is Earth Day, it is my sincere hope that this contest has helped to inspire awareness and appreciation for our planet's environment. Riding a bicycle will not solve all the world's problems; however, a bike is a viable transportation option for many trips people make by car.

With her new E-Z Pack folding bike, M. Ferber will be able to run errands by bike, riding right up to the door of the supermarket, post office, bank, etc. In less than the time it would take to lock up a standard bicycle (or park & get out of a car), Mrs. Ferber can fold her light, 22.5 lb E-Z Pack and carry it inside, placing it in the grocery basket with plenty of room to spare for groceries. No more pumping gas. No more polluting the environment. No more parking citations, moving violations, vehicular taxes or worries concerning vandals or thieves. She'll be fitter, stronger and (hopefully) happier too. All because of something as simple as a bicycle. Pretty cool, huh.

Can you use a practical bike like the E-Z Pack?
In honor of Earth Day, between now and Sunday, enter coupon code EarthDay09 when ordering any folding bike online at RideTHISbike.com and you'll receive 10% off of your purchase. Although it's not a free bike, our everyday prices are very reasonable so this makes a good deal even better. The coupon does expire this Sunday (April 26, 2009) so act now before it's gone.

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

by Larry Lagarde

Yesterday was the last day to enter the free folding bike giveaway so I created the voting ballot this morning and just mailed the ballots to everyone that registered to vote. Now, we'll wait for the votes to begin trickling back.

Since there are only 12 entrants, the odds of winning are 1 in 12 which is pretty exceptional. No doubt, the entrants will be very excited by this but with each story entry running well under the 1500 word limit, the judges are breathing a sigh of relief too. As a result, voting could proceed quickly.

Given the daily barrage of negative economic news on television, radio and in print, if participation in this contest is any gauge of the economy, I have to wonder whether the media has been hyping the downturn in a disgusting attempt to recapture market share.

Think about it.
Yahoo, Google, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Hulu and more are making mainstream media irrelevant. Newspapers are closing because their circulations are in free fall. Why take the time to post a classified ad in print when Craigslist is free, immediate and viewed by far more people? So many television viewers are flocking to Hulu that the broadcasting industry estimates that add revenue will be insufficient to support programming within 10 years...

No doubt, this recession has resulted in a lot of pain and fear - a fact that must be addressed seriously and considerately (and is the reason why I did the contest in the first place). All the same, this is no Great Depression. The world is a far different place than it was almost 100 years ago.

So perhaps it's time to focus more on the simple pleasures of life and less on the news. Take my advice. Walk away from your computer screen. Go outside. Soak up that wonderful Spring air and go for a bike ride! You owe it to you.
;-)

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

by Larry Lagarde

Want to win a new bicycle absolutely free?
Well, you better hurry.

Today is the last day to enter the giveaway for a free folding bike. The rules are simple - just write in your own words why you deserve the bike and email your entry to the email address at the bottom of this page.

Anyone can vote to determine the winner of the folding bicycle. If you want to vote, register here.

Free Bicycle Giveaway Contest Rules

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

Folding Bike Contestant A. Brewer's Story

Here's the entry from Contestant # 11 in the folding bike giveaway - A. Brewer of Wellston, OH:

I would love to win this for my daughter. She would love to have a new bike specially one like this. She is wanting to try the stunts on them. She is young but tall and skinny and I think that the path she wants as a bicyclist is great. She wants a good one but honestly with my husbands hours cut when I saw this I thought why not try. I am sure I am not the one with the saddest story but I just know mine is true.

Does A. Brewer deserve to win the folding bike? You be the judge. Sign up to vote & we'll email you a ballot on April 7th.

LL

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

by Larry Lagarde

How'd you like a new bike delivered to your door absolutely FREE?

If so, this is the last weekend to enter our free bike giveaway. Simply convince the judges that you're the most deserving candidate and the bike is yours. To make your case, write in explaining why you deserve the bike. That's it.

So what are you waiting for??? Enter NOW.

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

Folding Bike Contestant S. Faulkner's Story

Here's the entry from Contestant # 11 in the folding bike giveaway - S. Faulkner of Davenport, FL:

I want to win the E-Z pack bike so I can cruise down to the corner store in style.

Have an extra cup of tea before pedaling (instead of walking) my way to the bus stop in the early morningt.

I want to go on trips by the lake at sunset and lose a few pounds in the process.

Can't you picture my E-Z bike and me having a picnic in the bright green grass, under a gorgeous blue sky?

The truth is the E-Z pack bike looks like a cool gadget that I want to play with. I know some people are into big screen TVs, really loud stereos, cars or a million other things. I'm into bikes. I'm into eco-friendly mobility and freedom to go when I want. Did you see the video? I want it. Vote for me :)

Does S. Faulkner deserve to win the folding bike? You be the judge. Sign up to vote & we'll email you a ballot on April 7th.

LL

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

Answers About Voting On The Contest
by Larry Lagarde

Some RideTHISbike.com readers have asked for clarification regarding voting on the free bike giveaway contest. Here are more details in a Q & A format.

VOTING
Q: Can anyone vote?
A: Yes. To make the free bike giveaway fair and fun, anyone can cast a vote regarding who should get the free bike.

Q: How can I vote?
A: All you have to do is register.

Q: Why do I need to register to vote?
A: To prevent someone from voting twice.

Q: When is the final date to register to vote on the contest?
A: 6 April 2009.

Q: I've registered. Now when & how do I vote?
A: Voting will begin on 7 April 2009. Voters will be sent voting ballots by email. If no more than 20 contest entries have been received, there will be one voting ballot containing all the entries. If there are more than 20 entries, there will be several ballots and each ballot will have different entries so all the entries can be voted upon.

Q: When will voting for the contest end?
A: 21 April 2009.

Q: When will the contest winner be announced?
A: The winner will be announced on 22 April 2009 (Earth Day).

Round 2 (Run off)
Q: How will one winner be picked if there are multiple ballots of 20 entries?
A: There will be a run off. This will be known as Round 2.

Q: How will the Round 2 work?
A: Votes from each of the ballots in Round 1 will end on 13 April 2009. The contestant in each ballot that receives the most votes will make Round 2 (the run off).

Q: When will voting for Round 2 begin?
A: 14 April 2009.

Q: When will voting for Round 2 end?
A: 21 April 2009.

Q: When will the contest winner from Round 2 (the final round of voting) be announced?
A: The winner will be announced on 22 April 2009 (Earth Day).

As of today (27 March 2009), there's still time to enter the contest or register to vote but the clock's ticking. If you're interested in either entering or voting, don't delay; do it TODAY!

LL

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

Folding Bike Contestant M. Ferber's Story

Here's the entry from Contestant # 10 in the folding bike giveaway - M. Ferber of Burlington, VT:

Me, me ,me, pick me! OK, I'm no longer in 2nd. grade, but pick me anyway.

I want a bike, I need a bike, I've been looking for a bike. I've been online for weeks now trying to sort through the info. and make up my mind. The amount of information is overwhelming. I feel a bit befuddled. The only thing I know for sure is that I want a folder.

Please put me out of my misery and decide for me. I have never, ever won anything in my life.

I am a "lady of a certain age" and will never get a glance while walking on the street. However, with a snazzy folder I'll attract attention galore! Just think what it will do for my self esteem, my sense of purpose and my happiness. I may not be a "looker" anymore, but I am still a talker and I'll be the best friend this bike ever had as it will accompany me everywhere and help me make new acquaintances, as sadly many of my friends are no longer here. The students will love it and I'll be a goodwill ambassador for the brand in my Vermont college town.

Pick me, please cast your vote for me and let the "wheels" of fortune spin in my favor. Thank you for your consideration and hopefully your all important vote. Gotta get wheels! Wheels4Me! Gotta get wheels!

Does M. Ferber deserve to win the folding bike? You be the judge. Sign up to vote & we'll email you when the first 20 entries are in.

LL

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

Folding Bike Contestant S. Jones' Story

Here's the entry from Contestant # 9 in the folding bike giveaway - S. Jones of Champaign, IL:

Okay, I'm not sobbing, but my student almost was. Pam doesn't have a car and is coming back to school to get a better job, and working very hard. She's older than most of the students. Yes, we have a good bus system, but she loved the dumpy old bike that somebody gave her, and even though it was locked, somebody else made off with it last November. She doesn't live in the best of neighborhoods, though it's not the worst, either. She didn't mind so much in the dead of winter, but she was going to miss it in the spring and the bad guys had won.

Truth is, somebody has given her a Huffy. As she says, "God is good!" She doesn't want to lock it outside, though... and hauling the huffy down and up the stairs is tough.

She would love to have a folding bike... but I could see in her eyes that she
a: wasn't confident in her writing skills and
b: really didn't want to waste her time on what had to be some kind of scam, since that's her world.

Do I need to tell you that this is one of those ladies who will do anything for anybody? Who encourages the young students that if she can do it, and she's going to, so can you! Who has already overcome more obstacles than I can dream of and thinks the gift of an abandoned Huffy is worthy of rejoicing?

I could fluff this out and dramatize it to 1500 words or whatever when spring break is over I'll even see if I can get her to ride her huffy in to get a picture if it'll get her this far and try to get her once again to tell her own story... but I've always considered slick pitches to lead awfully quickly to plain old greedy dishonesty. That's my story.

Does S. Jones deserve to win the folding bike for her student Pam? You be the judge. Sign up to vote & we'll email you when the first 20 entries are in.

LL

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

Folding Bike Contestant K. Dossman's Story

Here's the entry from Contestant # 8 in the folding bike giveaway - K. Dossman of Tyler, TX:

There are a lot of people who are worse off than I am, but that doesn't mean I don't deserve a free bike. It has been over a year since my parents had me go to driving school. Supposedly, AAA was going to teach me how to drive. That didn't do much, because I don't have a license. I can't even remember which pedal is the gas, and which is the brake, no joke. My father told me this morning, but I forgot.

One thing I know for sure that I can do, is ride a bike. Which will come in handy when I go off to school in the fall (believe it or not). So please bless me with a bike so our streets will be safe, or at least as safe as they're going to be.

Does K. Dossman deserve to win the folding bike? You be the judge. Sign up to vote & we'll email you when the first 20 entries are in.

LL

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

by Larry Lagarde

Here's the entry from Contestant # 7 in the folding bike giveaway - N. Nelson of Mercersburg, PA:

I am a student at the Mercersburg Academy, a co-ed boarding school in Mercersburg, PA. I bike all fall and spring around the surrounding area.

The dilemma I face is that my bike must remain outside, where it is venerable to rust and weather. My dorm room tends to be too small to fit it in, so I see this fold-up as a solution to my storage problem.

Next year I will be a senior and will be applying to colleges which have more small rooms and limited storage. I can absolutely make this a bike that I will ride all the time and would love to have a way of keeping it in good shape in my room.

Does N. Nelson deserve to win the folding bike? You be the judge. Sign up to vote & we'll email you when the first 20 entries are in.

LL

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

by Larry Lagarde

Here's the entry from Contestant # 6 in the folding bike giveaway - P. Davis of Arlington, MA:

My ankles are too weak to hike.
And jogging I just do not like.
But if I only sit
I'll never get fit,
So I really need a folding bike.

Does P. Davis deserve to win the folding bike? You be the judge. Sign up to vote & we'll email you when the first 20 entries are in.

LL

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

by Larry Lagarde

As has been announced before, RideTHISbike.com is giving away a brand new E-Z Pack folding bike on Earth Day 2009 (April 22nd). The winner will be determined based on votes from subscribers to the RideTHISbike.com newsletter as well as a panel of inspirational and respected bicycle enthusiasts. But who are the cycling enthusiasts on this panel?

Following is a list of cycling advocacy and industry leaders that have agreed to act as judges for the free bike giveaway. The judges are listed in alphabetical order.

Harvey Botzman - Rochester, NY
Harvey Botzman only rides a folding bicycle. Outfitted with both front/rear racks and always having a set of panniers on the rear racks it is always ready to go grocery shopping, to the Rochester Public Market or touring. Harvey has authored seven bicycle tour guide books, one for each of the five Great Lakes plus for New York State's Finger Lakes wine region and for the New York State Canal System including the Erie Canal.
www.cyclotour.com

Zahid Buttar - Orlando, FL
"Z" is a multi-time Ironman finisher and Missouri state triathlon champion. An accomplished swimmer and runner, Z's an elite cyclist in the United States Cycling Federation. He's a USAT triathlon coach that has coached international and national level racers as well as over 200 "every day Joe's" riding in long distance events in places such Santa Fe, New Mexico and Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Z manages triathlons, duathlons, inline, running and cycling events throughout the USA.
www.buttar.com

Sue Derada - New Orleans, LA
Sue is the founder of the Bicycle & Pedestrian Action Committee (BI-PAC), a bicycling advocacy group that envisions a greenway or interurban cycling corridor through South Louisiana composed of a series of "share the road" bicycle routes.
www.bi-pac.org

Tony Hoar - Vancouver Island, Canada
Tour de France veteran and dedicated bicycling advocate Tony Hoar is an engineer and respected builder of top-quality human-powered transportation devices (such as bicycles, racing wheelchairs and custom bike trailers). In addition to Tony's impressive cycling background, he remains competitive in Master's bicycle racing and has long been a fixture in the British Columbia cycling community.
www.TonysTrailers.com

Arnold Kamler - Parsippany, NJ
Kent International, Inc. President and CEO Arnold Kamler has an extensive, 36 year history in the bicycle industry. In fact, with 2 generations preceding him in the business, you could say that building, distributing & selling bikes is in his blood. Recently, Kent has produced several mini folding bikes for RideTHISbike.com and is also making the soon to be released Mini 8 micro folding bike.
www.KentBicycles.com

Kiril Kundurazieff - Santa Ana, CA
In 2003, California cyclist Kiril Kundurazieff started one of the world's first BikeBlogs (The Cycling Dude). Dedicated to the proposition that bike riding is good for you and fun, the blog includes commentary, links, news, opinion, reviews, stories, poetry, travelogue, and occasional heads up about events.
www.CyclingDude.com

Richard Masoner - Santa Cruz, CA
Richard Masoner is a dedicated bicycle commuter and the prolific bike blogger behind CommuteByBike. His multi modal commute (via bike, bus, train and bike) spans 3 California counties and 2 transit agencies. Richard also contributes or comments frequently on a variety of other bike blogs and writes for Momentum.
www.cyclelicio.us

Leah Neaderthal - Chicago, IL
Leah Neaderthal founded The Chainlink (the online community for Chicago cycling) to create a sense of community among the large population of Chicago cyclists. Leah is a Senior Marketing Manager at SAVO, a Chicago software company. Despite launching a successful website while maintaining a full-time career, Leah's proudest accomplishment by far is getting her parents back on bikes and excited about cycling.
www.TheChainlink.org

Mark Sanders - London, UK
Mark Sanders is the pricipal of MAS Design, a product engineering firm located in the UK. Mark has created a variety of innovative products including the Strida and IF MODE folding bikes. Mark believes it essential to increase the number of "Plain Clothes" cyclists and sees regular folks as the future face of cycling.
www.MAS-Design.com

Rick Shaffer - Wallace, ID
Known as the Prime Minister of historic Wallace, Idaho (former mining town & Biking Mecca of the Northwest), Rick is Director of Operations for the upscale Wallace Inn. He's the go to guy for info about the countless miles of paved & non-paved Rails to Trails, bikeable trestles & tunnels, abandoned logging roads and singletrack surrounding Wallace. Rick's riding supplements his need for a psychotherapist as chasing bears on his bike is one of his favorite past times.
www.WallaceInn.net

Ira Stone - Philadelphia, PA
Ira is a 60 year old Conservative Rabbi, published theologian and professor of Jewish Philosophy who rediscovered the joys of cycling less than 3 years ago. Since then, he's gone from pedaling 0 miles to cycling over 12 miles per day. Ira's lost 40 lbs and found cycling an ideal activity to enjoy and share with his wife of 39 years. His inspirational bike blog is proof that average Joe's can take up cycling regardless of age or physical condition & have great fun doing it.
Bicycle-Musings.blogspot.com

Lauren Sullivan - New Orleans, LA
Combining her enthusiasm for cycling with a nack for community organizing and skill at computer mapping tools, Lauren is the founder and driving force behind Nola Cycle (a project to assemble the first, comprehensive, high quality and up to date cycling map of New Orleans). Mapping data is being collected by a team of volunteers pedaling the city little by little on their own time or in neighborhood mapping events.
www.NOLAcycle.blogspot.com

Your name not on this list? No problem; YOU can vote too! Sign up to vote & we'll email you when the first 20 entries are in.

LL

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

by Larry Lagarde

Here's the entry from Contestant # 5 in the folding bike giveaway - K. Oakley of San Jose, CA:

I am a young first grade teacher in the Alum Rock School District in a very low income area of San Jose, California. I currently drive the ten miles to my school, but that would all change if I had a bike to ride -- it'll be great for me, but an even better example for my students and families. And this bike is perfect because I could bring it into my classroom with me so it doesn't get stolen or vandalized. My husband and I make little money as educators so purchasing a bike is out of the question for us. Please help!

K. Oakley has my respect. Both of my sisters were elementary school teachers and I can tell you that's a tough job. But what I really like is that she wants to lead by example. If we all did that more, the world would certainly be a better place.

Luckily for K., the E-Z Pack folding bike is great for commutes. Folded, it's so compact that it can fit under her desk in the classroom and can be taken aboard mass transit if need be. But I digress...

Does K. Oakley deserve to win the folding bike? You be the judge. Sign up to vote & we'll email you when the first 20 entries are in.

LL

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

by Larry Lagarde

Here's the entry from Contestant # 4 in the folding bike giveaway - E. Strickland of So Ro, VT:

I am in DESPERATE NEED to WIN this folding bike as I haven't had a NEW one since graduating high school in 1973!

As a 50-something the bike sound like a HANDY option as I ride everywhere possible.

1,000,000 thanks!

Does E. Strickland deserve to win the folding bike? You be the judge. Sign up to vote & we'll email you when the first 20 entries are in.

LL

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

by Larry Lagarde

Here's the entry from Contestant # 3 - J. Burnette from Mercersburg PA:

I think I deserve to win this bike because I'd immediately challenge why the good citizens of Cuba are restricted from this contest. If I were to win, I'd forward the bike to Cuba in a way designed to get the greatest publicity possible.

It's insane that our biggest creditor nation is mainland China, yet for some reason Cuba still strikes fear in our hearts. What's up with that?? Are we scared that they'll get ahold of some super secret folding bike technology and send secret SWAT teams to invade us?

So anyways, give me the bike, I'll help build bridges between cultures.

Cuban SWAT teams on micro folding bikes - sounds like a possible story line for a "Red Dawn" remake. I wonder what Patrick Swayze would say...

Personally, I have nothing against Cuba; however, I was advised that giving a prize to contestants in certain countries was a major no no. Of course, if J. Burnette wins, he can do whatever he wants with the bike.

What do you think - give it to J? Sign up to vote & you become the judge. We'll email you when the first 20 entries are in.

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

by Larry Lagarde

Here's the entry from Contestant # 2 - S. Moretto from Redford, MI

I feel I should be the winner of this wonderful folding bike! I had to buy a minivan to carry my full-sized bikes everywhere, and I mean everywhere, even if I cannot ride them...I like to have one with me at all times! My current project is getting to and from Canada, and the only way to get across the Detroit River is to carry your bike on a bus, and they don't let full-sized bikes on the busses.

Yeah, I know, not much of a sob story, but it's all I have.

So at this point, who deserves the free bike: a diehard cyclist being denied from taking her current bike across the border on mass transit or "RIDE THIS BIKE.COM WESTBANK GIRL" wannabe D. Saluto? Hmmm. You be the judge. Sign up to vote & we'll email you when the first 20 entries are in.

Maybe things aren't so bad afterall...
LL

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

by Larry Lagarde

The free bike giveaway is off and running! Here's the entry from the first contestant - D. Saluto from Louisiana.

OH MY GOODNESS.

I am from the Westbank, actually Westwego.

I have heard and seen these bikes.

THEY ARE AWESOME!!!

If I had one, I would be the RIDE THIS BIKE.COM WESTBANK GIRL!

I'll be 45 this Christmas and I am ready to Ride this Bike NOW!

BRIDGE CITY, WESTWEGO TO MARRERO I SURE WOULD RIDE THIS BIKE....

Does D. Saluto deserve to win the folding bike? You be the judge. Sign up to vote & we'll email you when the first 20 entries are in.

LL

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

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