BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

Doesn't sound great. For $40/year + $12 fee to join, you don't get a whole lot ( http://www.betterworldclub.com/bicycles/bike_assistance.cfm ):

- "Bicycle assistance is available up to 30 miles in total" (what does that mean? - do they only travel 30 miles to get you, or will they only haul your bike 30 miles to your home? - what happens if you break a chain deep into some bike trail?)

- "single Bicycle memberships are eligible for two service calls, per year" (So $20+ per call?)

- "Therefore, if you’re bicycle is rendered immobile by lock, we will not dispatch service to free it. However, if you have organized service to free a locked bike, you may submit a claim for reimbursement up to a limit of $50." (Hmm..)

- "If your vehicle is rendered immobile due to a flat, we will not deliver new equipment. We will, however, dispatch a service provider with commonly available tools upon request." (So I get a flat, some tow truck guy will bring wrenches and a pump and stand there and watch? How is that going to help if my tube is slashed?)

I don't know. I've got a few bike-pgh people's numbers in my cell phone. I bet I wouldn't have to call more than 2 or 3 before I had someone drive out to help me, especially if I offered them $30 for the trouble.

AAA sold my contact information

wow. that sucks.

A friend of mine learned recently that they can't/won't help you on the turnpike. They have no arrangement with the turnpike, won't pay the toll to get on, I don't know. But if you've paid for a AAA membership and break down on the turnpike, you still have to use the turnpike's services, which cost. I think they charged my friend $50.00 to bring him a few gallons of gas, and it was a long wait.

I'd assume they'll take you (and bike) 30 miles - to a house, a shop, wherever. like car towing, 100 miles, you tell them where you want to go.

I think what they're also saying is that they won't cut the lock, but if you can find someone who will, they'll pay $50 towards it.

For the flat, I think they're saying you need to have a new tube (or patch?), but they'll provide service. I don't know, but that's what I'd assume.

But if you're biking in Oklahoma? I thought maybe they had more insurance options for bikes, but perusing the site a little further makes it look like nice window dressing. At least they recognize bicycles exist and are allowed on the road.

I'm a BWC member, have a car+motorcycle membership. I saw no need for the bicycle service as if I'm anywhere near a road, odds are I can get help through alternative means, and if I'm not near a road, they will probably be no help.

AAA annoyed me for a couple of reasons. I was a AAA plus member for 6 years until I bought a motorcycle and needed their services after a wreck, only to have to pay for the tow myself because they only tow motorcycles if you pay for the AAA plan that includes RV service (which is roughly double the normal rate). There's no lesser rate.

The most important reason to avoid AAA is that they lobby against alternative transportation. They take your money and use it to advocate against bike lanes and any non-automobile transportation funding in Congress.

In NJ AAA has an arrangement with the state police who own all the contracts for towing on the garden state parkway. So you wait for your first tow truck, which will get you off the parkway and you pay for it yourself. Then AAA picks you up from there and reimburses you for the first towtruck.

When I drove a 91 honda civic with 500k on it, I certainly got my monies worth. Now that I drive a lease, its nice to have it for when I'm in someone elses car.

thanks asobi - bad news* but good to know. Has anyone switched from AAA (or left AAA for some reason other than no longer having a car) and gotten their remaining membership money back? If not, I might just wait until my membership expires to switch - then I can spend the meantime reminding them of how badly their practices suck.** (Like claiming that they speak on behalf of their members (without checking with their members) when they do their lobbying.

* http://alleghenysc.org/?p=359

**clearly, not that they care what I think.

I convinced my wife to switch us over from AAA to BWC because of their anti-bike lobbying. (It was a hard sell because she loved getting her triptiks.) I didn't go for the bike roadside assistance because I'm pretty self-sufficient at this point and the level of "assistance" they offer is pretty weak.

I once was towed so many times that AAA cut me off (over 1 tow a week for an extended period...)

Around here, AAA will get you on the turnpike--you have to wait for special dispatch though.

My AAA membership just lapsed--I think I am switching to BWC.

A year or so ago, I toyed around with a business model for bicycle roadside service. I determined in this market, at this time, it is not feasible as a businesses sole service. However, I think it would make sense for a multi-location bike shop to implement some type of roadside service.

Bike Pittsburgh has a tweet, right?

I have noticed some occasions where someone posted for some sort of assistance on the forums and received responses in relatively short order. As smart phones and the data plans that drive them become cheaper and more prevalent, I'm sure that the biking community will make itself more and more available to spontaneous roadside assistance.

AAA does give pro-rated refunds. Ask.

"Greetings! I am a nubile young female with a flat tire on my bicycle. My location is N 40° 26.422 W 079° 59.017. I will be VERY appreciative! If you can help me, please contact me ASAP at (419) 555-5707"

yeah, I can hardly wait for the twitterscams.

Dang! I was half-way to my gps.

A freind of mine traveled on a large recumbent. After a problem with a wheel, he called a tow truck

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=RrzKj&page_id=116070&v=2h

(bottom of page)

I prefer to just keep everything I might need in my trunk or bag to fix the vehicle. F-AAA