Many cyclists also own cars (in fact, our data suggests that 70% of Let’s Bike Month participants usually drive when they’re not biking), so are familiar with the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA). Flat tire? Call CAA. Fender bender? Call CAA. Locked your keys in the car? Battery dead? CAA!
In fact, over 6.5 million people nationwide are members of CAA – that’s about 1/5 of the whole population of Canada!
But did you know that your membership can also come in handy when you’re out on a bike ride?
Bike Assist ®
The CAA Bike Assist® program works the same as any call for roadside assistance for driving. If you have a flat tire, for example, you can give CAA a call and one of their mechanics will come out to you. If it’s an easy repair then the mechanic will fix you up and send you on your way.
If not, they’ll take you and your bicycle to somewhere you can get more help. The towing distance covered by your membership will also remain the same regardless if you’re using your call out for a car or a bicycle, so premier members get up to 320kms covered with their membership fees!
Some CAA trucks can even tow heavier bicycles like cargo bicycles and tricycles! Make sure you describe the bicycle(s) that will need to be towed to the CAA dispatcher so they’re sending the right vehicle and driver to help you out.
A call for bicycle assistance counts towards one of your roadside assistance calls included in your membership. All members are automatically enrolled!
CAA Everyday
Because not everyone owns a car, CAA has a tier of membership just for carless cyclists. It covers one Bike Assist callout per year, with 10km towing distance, and at $30/year provides affordable peace of mind for people wanting to bike slightly off the urban trails.
CAA’s benefits to cyclists don’t just extend to roadside assistance, either:
CAA’s store
That’s right, CAA has a store and members get discounts! There’s the stuff you’d expect, like maps and driving manuals, flares and emergency roadside kits, but they also have bicycle helmets, lights and locks, and other useful things for outdoor life. There’s even a nice selection of travel rain ponchos – so useful to have one in your panniers for those unexpected summer storms!
Insurance
Maybe you’re considering replacing your second car personal use cargo bicycle It’s a big decision, and a large investment to just leave locked in a public place. What if it gets stolen? Lack of obvious insurance options for a valuable asset like a cargo bicycle is enough to prevent some people from making the switch.
Fortunately, lots of home insurance programs – including CAA Home Insurance – will include bicycles up to a certain value within their policies automatically. More expensive bicycles can also be added as a named item using a “Bicycle floater”. The rider covers theft and damage in or out of the home, so you can be sure your bicycle is protected!
One of EnviroCentre’s employees has her e-cargo bicycle insured under her CAA Home Insurance. “It gives me peace of mind when I use it that the value of my vehicle is protected”, she says. “I can use it the same way we use our family car, without worrying that it might get stolen or damaged and I’ll have lost all that money”.
CAA is one of Let’s Bike Month’s community sponsors for 2022, and participants have the opportunity to win one of four CAA prize packages which includes a year’s membership! Useful to have handy, no matter how many wheels you’re travelling on.
Legal:
1 Property Insurance is underwritten by CAA Insurance Company. Certain conditions, limitations and underwriting guidelines apply.
®CAA trademarks are owned by, and use is authorized by, the Canadian Automobile Association.