Press Releases

NEWS RELEASE 
For Immediate Release 
 
Climate Ride Contact: Caeli Quinn, Co-Founder and Director, Climate Ride, 406.871.5477, caeli@climateride.org, or Tim O’Bayley, O’Bayley Communications, 760.778.3525, tim@obayley.net

EARTH INSTITUTE NOW A BENEFICIARY OF CLIMATE RIDE

Participants can now select the Earth Institute at Columbia University as a beneficiary on Climate Ride – the national charitable bicycle ride benefiting Environmental and Bicycle-related Nonprofits.
 
NEW YORK, NY / MISSOULA, MT – March 18, 2013: Climate Ride, the national bike ride for sustainable solutions, and the Earth Institute at Columbia University announced today that the Earth Institute is now a beneficiary of Climate Ride. Participants can select the Earth Institute as a grant recipient when they ride in any Climate Ride event. Currently, Climate Ride has two yearly events: Climate Ride California, this May 18-23, 2013 and Climate Ride NYC-DC, this September 21-25, 2013.

In 2012, Climate Ride granted more than $400,000 to 56 organizations. On each ride, 200 participants raise funds and then pedal 300 miles over five days to support sustainability, bicycle advocacy, renewable energy, and climate change solutions. In order to have an impact on a national and local level, Climate Ride gives riders the power to direct grants to organizations of their choice, as long as the organization meets the beneficiary requirements set forth by the Climate Ride Board of Directors.

“We’re very impressed with the impact of the Earth Institute’s programs,” said Caeli Quinn, Co-Founder and Director of Climate Ride. “Our participants have the option to choose the organizations that they wish for Climate Ride to support and many have asked to include the Earth Institute. With the addition of the Earth Institute, Climate Ride has truly become a hub of the sustainability movement, and a place where environmental and bicycle organizations can come together to network, share ideas, and experience 300 miles of amazing cycling together.”

The Earth Institute is comprised of more than 30 research centers and some 850 scientists, staff and students, and blends scientific research, education and practical solutions to help guide the world onto a path toward sustainability. Working across many disciplines, the Earth Institute studies and creates solutions for problems in energy, ecosystems, climate, natural hazards, public health, poverty, and urbanization. For more information, visit http://www.earth.columbia.edu/sections/view/9.

Any registered rider can choose to support the Earth Institute, and, in addition, the Earth Institute has formed a team on the upcoming NYC-DC ride in September. This team is open to the public – upon registration any rider has the option to select to join the Earth Institute team.

2013 Climate Ride Events
From May 19-23, 2013, the epic Climate Ride California will return for its fourth year and will see nearly 200 Climate Riders pedal more than 320 miles in 5 days. The California ride begins under towering redwoods along the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, before turning west toward the coast for two full days of some of the most scenic cycling in America. After a quick spin through the Russian River Wine Country, Climate Riders pedal across the Golden Gate Bridge to finish at a rally at City Hall in San Francisco.
Then, from September 21-25, 2013, Climate Ride returns to the East Coast with its fifth-annual Climate Ride NYC-DC 2013 event from the heart of New York City to the steps of the US Capitol in Washington, DC. Registration is open to 200 cyclists who will raise money for the green organization of their choice (pending Climate Ride approval), and then set out on a 5-day, 300-mile journey and ‘green conference on wheels’ through four states and the District of Columbia to take their message of a sustainable future to Washington.
More information about both events can be found at www.climateride.org. 
About Climate Ride
Climate Ride, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded to inspire and empower citizens to work toward a new energy future. Climate Ride events raise money for a collection of innovative organizations including 350.org, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Green America, Climate Counts, 1% for the Planet, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, and Transportation Alternatives. For more information, or to support a participant, visit www.climateride.org.

NEWS RELEASE 
For Immediate Release 
 
Contact: Caeli Quinn, Co-Founder and Director, Climate Ride, 406.871.5477, caeli@climateride.org, or
Tim O’Bayley, O’Bayley Communications, 760.778.3525, tim@obayley.net

CLIMATE RIDE GRANTS MORE THAN $400K TO 56 ORGANIZATIONS IN 2012

Climate Ride Expands Green Grant Program by 37% over 2011 to $409,847;
Surpasses $1 Million in Grants to Environmental and Bicycle-related Nonprofits Since 2008
 
MISSOULA, MT – December 20, 2012: Climate Ride, the national bike ride for sustainable solutions, has announced that it will grant $409,847 to 56 nonprofit beneficiary organizations this week. The funds were raised during two cycling events in 2012 – Climate Ride NYC-DC last May and Climate Ride California last September. In all, nearly 300 cyclists pedaled more than 620 miles to raise funds for and awareness of sustainability, bicycle advocacy, renewable energy, and climate change solutions.

“We’re very proud to exceed the threshold of $400,000 in grants for the year because it represents a 37% increase over last year’s grants, without a significant increase in staff costs, which means we worked harder and smarter again in 2012,” said Caeli Quinn, Co-Founder and Director of Climate Ride. “I think this metric showcases not only how fast the Climate Ride organization is growing, but also demonstrates how important these issues are becoming to the American public after so many unprecedented weather events and the hottest year on record. Climate Ride has truly become a hub of the sustainability movement, and a place where the biggest environmental and bicycle organizations can come together to network, share ideas, and experience 300 miles of amazing cycling together.”

The grants for 2012 will be awarded this week to 56 national and local organizations, and range from $526 to $52,713. The grant amounts vary because participants are allowed to direct their specific fundraising dollars to a list of pre-approved nonprofits. In 2011, Climate Ride announced a significant change to its beneficiary structure, which allowed participants to direct their event fundraising to organizations of their choice, as long as the organization meets the beneficiary requirements set forth by the Climate Ride Board of Directors. The change allowed 56 organizations related to sustainability, renewable energy, climate and bicycle advocacy to receive funding from Climate Ride events in 2012.
“Including these 2012 grants, we have given away $1,057,240 to hard-working nonprofits since our inaugural ride in 2008,” said Geraldine Carter, Co-Founder and Director of Climate Ride. “That amazes me. When we dreamed up the first Climate Ride, we never imagined that we’d hit this important milestone within 5 years. We’ve given out 90 grants since 2012 and with so many other funders and grants drying up, our riders’ fundraising has helped these beneficiaries bridge the gap and continue their critical work.”

Climate Ride benefitted 25 organizations in 2011, and then added 33 new beneficiaries for 2012. Nonprofits that will receive the 2012 grants include: 1% For the Planet, 350.org, Adventure Cycling Association, Alliance for Biking and Walking, Alliance for Climate Education, Acterra, Active Transportation Alliance, Bike New York, BikeSonoma, Boston Cyclists Union, Carbon War Room, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Clean Air - Cool Planet, Climate Counts, Climate Protection Campaign, Center for Resource Solutions, East Bay Bicycle Coalition, Environmental Defense Fund, Environmental Working Group, Green America, Green For All, Greenbelt Alliance,  Grist, IISD - United Nations Office, Institute for Sustainable Communities, International Green Industry Hall of Fame, League of American Bicyclists, Marin County Bicycle Coalition, National Parks Conservation Association, Natural Resource Defense Council, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy,  Renewable Energy Long Island, San Francisco Bike Coalition, Sierra Club California, Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, School for Field Studies, Solar Living Institute, Save our Snow Foundation,  Transportation Alternatives, US Green Building Council - National Capital Region, Washington Area Bicyclists Association, Walk San Francisco, Will Steger Foundation, Windustry, World Bicycle Relief, and 11 other smaller, local organizations.

2013 Ride Events
From May 19-23, 2013, the epic Climate Ride California will return for its fourth year and will see nearly 200 Climate Riders pedal more than 320 miles in 5 days. The California ride begins under towering redwoods along the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, before turning west toward the coast for two full days of some of the most scenic cycling in America. After a quick spin through the Russian River Wine Country, Climate Riders pedal across the Golden Gate Bridge to finish at a rally at City Hall in San Francisco.
Then, from September 21-25, 2013, Climate Ride returns to the East Coast with its fifth-annual Climate Ride NYC-DC 2013 event from the heart of New York City to the steps of the US Capitol in Washington, DC. Registration is open to 200 cyclists who will raise money for the green organization of their choice (pending Climate Ride approval), and then set out on a 5-day, 300-mile journey and ‘green conference on wheels’ through four states and the District of Columbia to take their message of a sustainable future to Washington.
More information about both events can be found at www.climateride.org. 

About Climate Ride
Climate Ride was founded to inspire and empower citizens to work toward a new energy future. Climate Ride events raise money for a collection of innovative organizations including 350.org, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Green America, Climate Counts, 1% for the Planet, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, and Transportation Alternatives. For more information, or to support a participant, visit www.climateride.org.
# # #

MEDIA ALERT

Contact: Tim Frick, Climate Ride Media Liaison, 773.531.6878, tim@mightybytes.com, or Tim O’Bayley, O’Bayley Communications, 760.778.3525, tim@obayley.net

WHAT: Climate Ride California 2012 - The nation’s largest environmental bike ride and ‘green conference on wheels’ pedals to San Francisco! This Thursday, September 13 is Day 5 of the event, which consists of more than 150 cyclists pedaling beautiful country roads 320 miles along California’s rugged northern coast from Fortuna to San Francisco to raise funds and awareness of sustainable solutions, the climate crisis and bike advocacy.

WHEN: Thursday, September 13, 2012 – DAY 5 – FINAL DAY!

10-11 am: Water Stop at SPORTS BASEMENT PRESIDIO
Riders gather at Sports Basement Parking Lot, 610 Old Mason St, San Francisco

Organizers and riders available for interviews, including:

A wide range of local residents and environmental experts

11:15 am:  Riders Depart for Civic Center Plaza!

12 noon: Riders arrive at San Francisco City Hall
City Hall, Civic Center Plaza; Climate Riders will be greeted by friends and family to hear from important speakers on green and bicycle issues.

1 pm: Riders depart for the trip end at Mission Creek Gardens Park
Mission Creek Gardens Pavilion, 290 Channel St, South of Market

MORE
Climate Ride was founded to inspire and empower citizens to work toward a new energy future. Climate Ride events raise money for a collection of more than 50 innovative organizations including Green America, 350.org, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), 1% For the Planet, League of American Bicyclists, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, Greenbelt Alliance, and East Bay Bicycle Coalition.. For more information, or to support a participant, visit www.climateride.org.

NEWS RELEASE 
For Immediate Release 

Contact: Tim Frick, Climate Ride Media Liaison, 773.531.6878, tim@mightybytes.com, or
Tim O’Bayley, O’Bayley Communications, 760.778.3525, tim@obayley.net

150 CYCLISTS AND THOUSANDS OF SUPPORTERS TAKE THE MESSAGE OF A NEW ENERGY FUTURE ON THE ROAD

Nation’s largest environmental charitable bicycle ride to begin in Northern California – Sept 9

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – September 4, 2012: The 7th Climate Ride, Climate Ride California 2012, to be held Sept 9-13, will see more than 150 cyclists pedal the Northern California Coast from Fortuna, CA (near Eureka) to Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco. The 5-day, 320-mile cycling adventure is designed to raise funds for sustainable solutions and hard-working nonprofit environmental organizations. The ride features some of the best and brightest minds working in the areas of sustainability, renewable energy and bicycle advocacy. Climate Ride is known as the ‘green conference on wheels’ because participants pedal 60-70 miles during each day, and then attend speaking events each evening along the route.
 
“Climate Ride is continuing to see exponential growth,” said Caeli Quinn, Co-Founder and Director of Climate Ride. “After the California ride, we will have taken more than 350 cyclists on an epic cycling journey; inspired their thousands of supporters and donors back home; and granted more than $400,000 to over 50 green organizations – providing much-needed funding to continue their critical work. It’s amazing to think that something as simple as bicycle ride can have such an impact on people personally, and help move the country toward sustainable, renewable future.”

Last year, Climate Ride announced a significant change to its beneficiary structure which now allows participants to direct their event fundraising to organizations of their choice, regardless if they are a current Climate Ride beneficiary or not. The change has allowed more organizations related to sustainability, renewable energy, climate and bicycle advocacy to receive funding from Climate Ride events. Currently, more than 50 organizations will benefit from the more than $400,000 raised. A full list can be found on the Climate Ride Beneficiaries page.

The ride begins at 9:00 am on Sunday, September 9, in Fortuna, CA, the start of a 320 mile journey that will culminate with an en masse ride across the Golden Gate Bridge, and to San Francisco’s City Hall – where a rally and speaking event that will take place on Thursday, September 13 at 12 pm noon.

Climate Ride is garnering more and more attention each year including being inducted into the International Green Industry Hall of Fame in 2012, and receiving an award in 2011 for ‘Best in Green Travel’ from leading green news outlet TreeHugger. “Climate Ride is a truly unique charitable cycling event because of our nightly speaker series, our focus on ‘treading lightly’ as we travel down the beautiful California coast, and our innovative support of a collection of nonprofit environmental and bike advocacy organizations,” said Geraldine Carter, Co-Founder of Climate Ride. “Climate Ride is the first to take the charitable bicycling event model and apply it to support green causes on a national scale.”

Climate Ride brings together environmental leaders and everyday people who care about sustainability for five days of inspiration, community and amazing cycling. Participants, or Climate Riders, have the opportunity to recharge, connect and bring a green message back to their own communities.

Climate Ride is the first bicycle tour where pedal strokes help raise money and awareness of a future powered by renewable energy, sustainability, and a green economy. Full carbon offsets for the participants, hybrid or high-fuel economy support vehicles and zero-waste catering are a few of the innovative measures that Climate Ride has successful implemented. The ride offers people who share a passion for green living and cycling a chance to make a difference. Each Climate Rider pays a registration fee of $75 and then raises at least $2400 to participate in this 5-day, fully-supported event.

This year's events will raise funds for a collection of leading non-profits that Climate Riders have nominated themselves. Beneficiaries for 2012 have reached more than 50 organizations including 350.org, NRDC, Green America, Nature Conservancy, EDF, East Bay Bicycle Coalition, Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 1% For the Planet, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, and Sierra Club California.

Registration for Climate Ride’s 2013 events is open at www.climateride.org. Registration includes a personal fundraising web page, training/logistical support and access to a nationwide network of Climate Riders. The ride includes a cycling jersey, campsites, luggage transfer, road support, meals, bike mechanics, bike guides and the nightly expert speaker series. Sponsorship opportunities are available for Climate Ride NYC-DC 2013 and Climate Ride California 2013. For more information, please email or call Caeli Quinn at 406-871-5477 or caeli@climateride.org. 

About Climate Ride

Climate Ride was founded to inspire and empower citizens to work toward a new energy future. Climate Ride events raise money for a collection of more than 50 innovative organizations including Green America, 350.org, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), 1% For the Planet, League of American Bicyclists, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, and Transportation Alternatives. For more information, or to support a participant, visit www.climateride.org.

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Contact: Caeli Quinn, Climate Ride, 406.871.5477, caeli@climateride.org, or Tim O’Bayley, O’Bayley Communications, 760.778.3525, tim@obayley.net

CLIMATE RIDE BECOMES MAJOR BIKE ADVOCACY FUNDER

National Bike Ride Gave $133,000 to Bike Groups in 2011; Estimated to Give $225,000 in 2012

MISSOULA, MT – July 5, 2012: Climate Ride announced today that the bike advocacy portion of its granting portfolio will grow 69% in 2012, delivering more than $225,000 to bike advocacy groups. Participants are flocking to Climate Ride to support local bike coalitions, national bike policy organizations and groups working on bicycle infrastructure. On the heels of a very successful Climate Ride in May from New York City to Washington DC, Climate Ride California 2012, which will take place along California’s scenic North Coast from September 9-13, 2012, is also showing signs that it may double this year to 200 participants, with nearly 120 cyclists already registered.

“Bike advocacy is a very important part of the sustainability issue, and with the projected decrease in future funding for bicycles in the new transportation bill MAP-21, our funding is becoming essential,” said Caeli Quinn, Co-Founder and Director of Climate Ride. “With better bicycle infrastructure and safety, we’ll see more individuals and families using their bikes to commute and run errands, which can have a profound effect on pollution, congestion, and carbon emissions. More people riding bikes helps with troubling and expensive health problems such as obesity and heart disease. We’ve seen extraordinary interest in this year’s events and we know that our dedicated focus on bike advocacy is striking a tenor with the American public.”

Climate Ride pinpointed bike advocacy as a key part of their message from the beginning. One of their first grant recipients was Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in 2009. Since then, more than 12 bike advocacy organizations and bike coalitions have become beneficiaries of Climate Ride including Transportation Alternatives (NY), Washington Area Bicycle Association (DC), San Francisco Bicycle Coalition (CA), League of American Bicyclists, Alliance for Biking and Walking (DC), and the Active Transportation Alliance (Chicago). Climate Ride allows participants to nominate local bike groups so that the rides have an effect on both the local and national level.

“We've know that in order to see improvements to bike safety and infrastructure in local communities, we need to support the groups that are working on a city level,” said Geraldine Carter, Co-Founder and Director of Climate Ride. “Local bike coalitions have passionate volunteers and knowledgeable staff working day to day on these issues. They are the ones looking out for safe routes for kids as they pedal to school. Climate Ride wants to make sure that they get the funding they need to keep streets bike friendly.”

“We are amazed by the ability of Climate Ride to raise funds and support for our programs,” said Shane Farthing, Executive Director of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA). “We hosted a meet and greet event this year and over 70 people showed up to find out how they could ride in Climate Ride to support us. We now have one of the biggest teams on Climate Ride this year and will see thousands of dollars come in to support our advocacy for improvements for bicycling in our Nation's Capital.”

Josh Lasky, a 4-time participant and Climate Ride board member said “Bike advocacy and sustainability are very important to me, and through Climate Ride I can finally support both. This year, I’m raising funds for WABA because I live in Washington and want to see even more bike lanes throughout the city. I love that I now see families pedaling through downtown, where before they were too worried about cars misreading signs and rolling through stop signs potentially hitting their children. I keep doing this ride over and over again because I love having a choice of beneficiary organizations and seeing the impact.”

Climate Ride now supports bike groups in almost every major US city. Climate Ride invites bike coalitions to apply for beneficiary status. For more information, visit: http://www.climateride.org/reasons-to-ride/beneficiaries

2012 Ride Events
From May 19-23, 2012, Climate Ride returned to the East Coast with its fourth annual Climate Ride NYC-DC event from the heart of New York City to the steps of the US Capitol in Washington, DC.

The epic Climate Ride California will return for its third year from September 9-13, 2012, and will see more than 150 Climate Riders pedal more than 320 miles in 5 days.

About Climate Ride
Climate Ride was founded to inspire and empower citizens to work toward a new energy future. Climate Ride events raise money for a collection of bike advocacy and sustainability organizations including 350.org, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Green America, Climate Counts, 1% for the Planet, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, and Transportation Alternatives. For more information, or to support a participant, visit www.climateride.org.

Contact: Caeli Quinn, Co-Founder and Director, Climate Ride, 406.871.5477, caeli@climateride.org, or
Tim O’Bayley, O’Bayley Communications, 760.778.3525, tim@obayley.net

200 BICYCLISTS TAKE THE MESSAGE OF A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FROM NYC TO DC

Climate Ride Doubles in size, Features Environmental Leaders from Organizations Including NRDC, 350.org, Rails-to-Trails, and CCAN

NEW YORK CITY – May 15, 2012: As the world celebrates Bike Month this May, the 5th annual Climate Ride NYC-DC 2012, to be held May 19-23, will see more than 200 bicyclists pedal from New York City to Washington DC. The 5-day, 300 mile cycling adventure will raise funds for more than 45 environmental organizations working in the areas of sustainability, renewable energy, climate, and bicycle advocacy. Climate Ride is known as the ‘green conference on wheels’ because participants pedal 60-70 miles each day, and then attend green speaking events each evening along the route.

“This will be our biggest ride yet, and the largest charitable ride for the environment ever,” said Caeli Quinn, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Climate Ride. “It’s amazing that we had 200 people this year commit to pedaling more than 300 miles to Washington to make a statement, while at the same time raising money for their favorite green organizations. Last year, we were able grant 29 organizations a total of $300,000 to support their critical work, and this year we hope to raise nearly $1 million. I‘m thrilled the NYC-DC ride is ready to roll. To me, every year it’s the most inspiring 5-day cycling event in the world.”

Climate Ride is garnering more and more attention each year including being inducted into the International Green Industry Hall of Fame last week, and an award in 2011 for ‘Best in Green Travel’ from leading green news outlet TreeHugger. “One of the best things about Climate Ride is that we’re showcasing the bicycle as one solution to climate change,” notes Geraldine Carter, Co-Founder of Climate Ride. “Climate Ride helps make the connection that fewer cars on the road can lead to a more sustainable future.”

The ride begins at 9:30 am on Friday, May 19, at DCTV (87 Lafayette St.) in New York City, the start of a 300-mile journey that will culminate with a group ride up Constitution Avenue to Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Hundreds of cyclists are expected to join the Climate Riders for the final 3 miles to the Capitol. Climate Ride NYC-DC 2012 benefits a collection of more than 45 hardworking environmental and bicycle-related nonprofits including: 350.org, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Green America, Environmental Defense Fund, 1% for the Planet, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, and Transportation Alternatives (NYC).

Climate Ride features world-class cycling and a diverse speaker series each evening, including:
Betsy Taylor - Adviser to several climate donors and foundations and advisory board member of 350.org. Co-founder and Board President of 1Sky and Founder and former President of the Center for a New American Dream.
Mike Tidwell – Executive Director, Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Ben Sollee - Cellist, vocalist and bike touring musician
Alvin Lin - China Climate and Energy Policy Director at Natural Resources Defense Council, Beijing
Keith Laughlin - President, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), the nation's largest trails organization with more than 100,000 members and supporters.
Guillaume Gauthereau – Co-Founder/Chief Executive Officer of TOTSY, Founder of Sequoia Lab
See the complete speaker series

Full carbon offsets for the participants, high-MPG support vehicles, and low-waste catering are a few of the innovative measures that Climate Ride has successfully implemented.  Each participant pays a registration fee of $75 and then raises at least $2,400 to participate in Climate Ride. Registration includes a personal fundraising web page, training support and access to a nationwide network of Climate Riders and eco-heroes. The ride includes a cycling jersey, accommodations, luggage transfer, road support, meals, bike mechanics, expert guides and the nightly expert speaker series.

About Climate Ride

Climate Ride was founded to inspire and empower citizens to work toward a new energy future. Climate Ride events raise money for a collection of more than 45 organizations focused on sustainability, climate issues, renewable energy and bicycle advocacy, including 350.org, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Environmental Defense Fund, 1% for the Planet, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, and Transportation Alternatives (NYC).

In 2011, Climate Riders represented more than 30 states and a variety of cycling abilities from novices to competitive cyclists. The riders will camp some nights to reduce their impact and the volunteer staff manages recycling, zero-waste catering, and provides sustainable support for the riders. Each Climate Rider raises at least $2,400 to participate in the 5-day, all-inclusive Climate Ride NYC-DC 2012.

NEWS RELEASE 4/5/2012  Contact: Caeli Quinn, Co-Founder and Director, Climate Ride, 406.871.5477, caeli@climateride.org, or Tim O'Bayley, O'Bayley Communications, 760.778.3525, tim@obayley.net

CLIMATE RIDE GROWS 70% IN 2012; NYC-DC RIDE NEARLY SOLD OUT

National Environmental Bicycle Event Expands Staff

MISSOULA, MT – April 5, 2012: Climate Ride announced today the hiring of new staff member Kathryn Socie to accommodate the organization’s exponential growth. As of last week, the upcoming Climate Ride NYC-DC 2012 event was nearing maximum capacity at more than 200 participants, a 70% increase over last year’s event. Climate Ride California, which takes place along California’s scenic North Coast from September 9-13, 2012, is also showing signs that it may double this year, with nearly 70 participants already registered.

“We’ve reached our tipping point,” said Caeli Quinn, Co-Founder and Director of Climate Ride. “We’ve seen extraordinary interest in this year’s events and I think our growth also has to do with the phenomenally hard work of our small three-person staff and board, as well as our new beneficiary structure, which allows riders to choose from more than 40 local and national green organizations to support. This translates into more riders, raising more money for more organizations, and creating more impact. We hope to increase our grants by 30% this year to more than $500,000 to support these innovative, hard-working nonprofits. Bringing Kathryn Socie on board will help us continue to deliver extraordinary events, while taking Climate Ride to the next level.”

Socie was hired as Rider and Communications Manager to strengthen the organization’s connection with event participants – or Climate Riders. She brings more than a decade of experience in communications for environmental and conservation non-profits, and will use those talents to enhance Climate Ride’s outreach capabilities, while helping Climate Riders overcome logistical hurdles, optimize their fundraising, and have the extraordinary experience that Climate Riders count as the main reason they do the ride over and over again.

“We're thankful Kathryn is on board to contribute her expertise and boundless energy, and we look forward to her helping us raise our capabilities as an organization,” said Geraldine Carter, Co-Founder and Director of Climate Ride. “She’ll be developing an array of important projects we have long-wanted to accomplish, but lacked the people power to make happen. Kathryn’s passion for cycling and her non-profit experience will bolster Climate Ride’s success at inspiring everyday people to take action for a sustainable future.”

“In my life, there have been few job announcements that not only fit my experience so perfectly, but also have the potential to give me tremendous joy,” said Socie. “I jumped at the opportunity to connect people to the myriad of issues involved with sustainability and to help them realize that their actions truly can make a difference.  Having worked with conservation groups and scientists, it’s apparent to me that the biggest hurdle to progress is the disconnect that so many people feel because of the immensity of the issues. Climate Ride is a means for people to learn more, talk more, do more, and it’s all fabulously packaged in a remarkable adventure, in the name of the most important environmental challenges we face today.”

2012 Ride Events

From May 19-23, 2012, Climate Ride returns to the East Coast with its fourth annual Climate Ride NYC-DC event from the heart of New York City to the steps of the US Capitol in Washington, DC.

The epic Climate Ride California will return for its third year from September 9-13, 2012, and will see more than 150 Climate Riders pedal more than 320 miles in 5 days.

About Climate Ride

Climate Ride was founded to inspire and empower citizens to work toward a new energy future. Climate Ride events raise money for a collection of innovative, organizations including 350.org, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Green America, Climate Counts, 1% for the Planet, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, and Transportation Alternatives. For more information, or to support a participant, visit www.climateride.org.

Kathryn Socie

After receiving a degree in Sociology and Philosophy, Kathryn promptly went to work in the non-profit sector, writing grants, outreach materials, web content and op-ed pieces for several organizations throughout Wyoming and Montana. A passion for wildlife and natural resources lead her to further pursue her education in ecology while running field and laboratory projects examining community and disease ecology with the Rocky Mountain Research Station. This experience lead to editorial work with the Journal of Wildlife Management as well as freelance science writing, writing popular press pieces, grants and outreach and communication pieces for a variety of conservation and environmental organizations.

NEWS RELEASE 12/19/2011 Contact: Caeli Quinn, Co-Founder and Director, Climate Ride, 406.871.5477, caeli@climateride.org, or Tim O'Bayley, O'Bayley Communications, 760.778.3525, tim@obayley.net

CLIMATE RIDE GRANTS MORE THAN $300,000 TO 25 ORGANIZATIONS

Climate Ride Expands Green Grant Program by 262% over 2010;
New Structure Benefits the Most Influential Environmental and Bicycle-related Nonprofits  

MISSOULA, MT - December 19, 2011: Climate Ride, the national bike ride for sustainable solutions, has announced that it will grant $300,031 to 25 nonprofit beneficiary organizations this week. The funds were raised during two cycling events in 2011 - Climate Ride NYC-DC last May and Climate Ride California last October. In all, 217 cyclists pedaled more than 620 miles to raise awareness of sustainability, renewable energy, climate solutions, and bicycle advocacy.

"We're very proud to reach this threshold of $300,000 in grants for the year because it represents a 262% increase over last year's grants, without an increase in staff costs, which means we worked harder and smarter this year," said Caeli Quinn, Co-Founder and Director of Climate Ride. "I think this metric showcases not only how fast the Climate Ride organization is growing, but also demonstrates how important these issues are to Americans. Climate Ride has truly become a hub of the sustainability movement, and our inspiring annual events showcase the bicycle as the focus of a sustainable future."

The grants for 2011 will be awarded to 25 national and local organizations, and range from $1,291 to $34,265. The grant amounts vary because participants are allowed to direct their specific fundraising dollars to a list of pre-approved nonprofits. Earlier this year, Climate Ride announced a significant change to its beneficiary structure, which now allows participants to direct their event fundraising to organizations of their choice, as long as the organization meets the beneficiary requirements set forth by the Climate Ride Board of Directors. The change allowed 25 organizations related to sustainability, renewable energy, climate and bicycle advocacy to receive funding from Climate Ride events in 2011.

"This grant from Climate Ride is welcome news after the recent mixed bag of the COP17 talks in Durban, but more importantly, it's proof that Americans care deeply about these issues," said Phil Aroneanu, U.S. Campaign Director and Co-Founder of 350.org, one of the Climate Ride beneficiaries. "Climate Ride is important because it creates an inspiring community of like-minded people who are passionate about what's happening to the environment. As a Climate Rider myself, I know what it means to put the wheel to the road, and cycle 300 miles for something I'm strongly committed to. Ultimately, this funding from Climate Ride will help 350.org advance our mission of building a global grassroots movement to solve the climate crisis."

Climate Ride added 22 beneficiary organizations in 2011, and expects to add up to 20 more organizations for 2012. Nonprofits that will receive the 2011 grants include: 350.org, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Natural Resources Defense Council, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, Green America, 1% for the Planet, Transportation Alternatives, Washington Area Bicycle Association, Climate Counts, Bike Sonoma, East Bay Bicycle Coalition, Acterra, Solar Living Institute, League of American Bicyclists, Walk San Francisco, Environmental Working Group, Alliance for Climate Education, Climate Protection Campaign, Active Transportation Alliance, International Green Industry Hall of Fame, Sierra Club California, Grist, Alliance for Biking and Walking, Save our Snow, and Renewable Energy Long Island.

"As a new beneficiary of Climate Ride, we're delighted that we participated in this unique, inspiring event, while raising funds to support our programs," said Peter Lehner, Executive Director of Natural Resources Defense Council, another beneficiary organization. "The environmental challenges we face today are enormous, and so are the opportunities to solve them. We've worked for decades to give communities less polluting transportation alternatives, especially biking, that can reduce our dependence on oil while creating more livable spaces. We've recently increased our capacity to work on these issues, and our new partnership with Climate Ride as a beneficiary will help to make us even more effective."

2012 Ride Events

From May 19-23, 2012, Climate Ride returns to the East Coast with its fourth annual Climate Ride NYC-DC 2012 event from the heart of New York City to the steps of the US Capitol in Washington, DC. Registration is open to 150 cyclists who will raise money for the green organization of their choice (pending Climate Ride approval), and then set out on a 5-day, 300-mile journey and ‘green conference on wheels' through four states and the District of Columbia to take their message of a new energy future to Washington.

Then, from September 9-13, 2012, the epic Climate Ride California will return for its third year and will see 150 Climate Riders pedal more than 320 miles in 5 days. The California ride begins under towering redwoods along the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, before turning west toward the coast for two full days of some of the most scenic cycling in America. After a quick spin through the Russian River Wine Country, Climate Riders pedal across the Golden Gate Bridge to finish at a rally at City Hall in San Francisco.

About Climate Ride

Climate Ride was founded to inspire and empower citizens to work toward a new energy future. Climate Ride events raise money for a collection of innovative organizations including 350.org, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Green America, Climate Counts, 1% for the Planet, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, and Transportation Alternatives.