With spring almost coming to an end, Stettler's Walk 'n Roll program kicks off its summer promotion on Wednesday, June 1 with a new approach dubbed 'Arrive by bicycle'.
Headed by Grace Fix, the environmental action sub-committee, an off-shoot of the Heartland Beautification Committee started the Walk 'n Roll program last year in Stettler.
And this year to give it a new dimension, the 'Arrive by bicycle, get a discount' scheme is being launched.
Commuters can ride their bikes to nine participating business in Stettler and get discounts varying from 10 per cent off store-wide to 30 per cent off on selected items, for the entire month of June.
The participating businesses are Apple Drugs, Coffee Tree, Guns 'n' Games, Party Maxx, Pharmasave, Performance Physio, Pfeiffer House of Music, Savage Value Drug Mart and The Elm Tree.
"These local businesses have enthusiastically jumped on board," said Fix . "We have started with a small group of businesses this year just to see how this plays out and the response from the business community has been tremendous."
According to Fix, this promotion could definitely expand in future years.
Some businesses are offering the same discount for all of June while others are changing their discount rates each week.
"It's visible in Stettler that more and more people are starting to consider walking or biking to their destinations rather than just automatically jumping into the car," added Fix. "Stettler is a very bikeable community since distances are short, the terrain is flat, and we have a great trail system."
In July and August, those who walk or bike to the regular Wednesday evening 'Concerts in the Park' will be entered into a draw for a weekly prize.
Throughout the summer, committee members will be on the trails, handing out flashing reflector lights to those who "get caught" walking or biking to their destinations. Stettler's Walk 'n' Roll is a collaborative effort of the Heartland Beautification Committee, Stettler Wellness Network and the Stettler Traffic Safety Committee with the common goal to encourage active transportation.