1,000 bikes at bike share kiosks rolling into Minneapolis June 10th

As Nice Ride Minnesota gears up to roll in to Minneapolis next month, Twin Cities business leaders are joining forces in collaboration for one of the first — and biggest — bike share programs in the country.

Nice Ride Minnesota (NRM) 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. The first phase will bring 1,000 bikes and 75 kiosks into the city of Minneapolis.

"Recruiting these businesses for our launch was a very strategic choice," NRM executive director Bill Dossett said. "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."

"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, which 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.

Nice Ride partners included several leading Minnesota businesses:

• 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 theniceridemn.orgwebsite
• 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."