Everyone knows AAA for its 24 hour roadside assistance but now with the growing enthusiasm for biking, AAA has expanded its coverage to roadside assistance for bicycles. The new program, which now is in effect, allows AAA members to request assistance if a disabled bicycle needs assisted transportation to a nearby destination.

This new service is free to all membership levels, requires no sign up and all AAA members automatically receive two bicycle calls per year.

“Whether for sport, transportation or family fun, the number of people riding bicycles is on the rise,” said Mary Wyatt, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Publications at AAA in a statement.  “In keeping with our goal to help keep our members moving it made sense to extend our roadside assistance to include bicycles. It’s a natural fit.”

To ask for a request from AAA for a bike problem a member just needs to call the road service number on their card. AAA will transport the rider and their bicycle to anywhere within 10 miles with no cost. Regular road service guidelines will also apply to bicycle calls.

The bicycle benefit will also be extended to INsiders who are enrolled in the free program with AAA for teens between the ages of 13 and 16. They are eligible for the service as long as a parent or guardian initiates the request. They will also get discounts and a free one-year AAA associate membership when they reach 16 and half years of age.

“Driving on our roadways requires care and courtesy whether you are driving a car or riding a bicycle,” added Lloyd P. Albert, AAA Southern New England Senior Vice President of Public and Government Affairs in a statement. “The idea of mutual respect and sharing the road with all users is an important one at AAA. Our roll-out of the new bicycle program, coupled with additional bike safety offerings across the area this spring will hopefully enhance safety and convenience for all road users.”

AAA Southern New England serves members in Rhode Island and the following counties in Connecticut: Pawcatuck, New Haven, Fairfield and Litchfield, and in Massachusetts: Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester, and in New Jersey: Morris, Union, and Essex, and in Salem, New Hampshire, according to the AAA website.

Image via Montague Boston Pavement Bike Review