Inaugural bike ride will take place on DuPage County Bike Day

The DASANI "Blue Bikes" community bicycle program, supported by Trek", will officially kick off in the Chicago area during the DASANI "Blue Bikes" Festival in Villa Park on DuPage County Bike Day, June 25. The program gives residents the free use of 20 brand-new Trek Cruiser Classic bicycles to explore the 61-mile Illinois Prairie Path & Great Western Trail that winds through the western suburbs of Chicago.

To celebrate the program's arrival, cyclists will take DASANI "Blue Bikes" on an inaugural trail ride. Area residents of all ages are invited to participate in the ride, which will leave from Villa Park at 12 p.m. In addition, DASANI will present a symbolic check representing the $52,000 value of DASANI donations to Joyce Stupegia, president of the Village of Villa Park.

DASANI "Blue Bikes" will be housed in specially designed storage lockers located on Illinois Prairie Path, adjacent to the Villa Park Historical Museum, giving residents free access, 24 hours a day. Area residents easily can take part in the program by registering for a DASANI "Blue Bikes" card at the Villa Park Parks & Recreation Department office or during the kick-off event. Cyclists can simply swipe the DASANI "Blue Bikes" card at the "Blue Bikes" lockers to remove a bike, and return it at the end of their ride.

DASANI created the "Blue Bikes" program in partnership with the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy to provide area residents an opportunity to get a "fresh take" on life by getting out and being active. The Illinois Prairie Path & Great Western Trail is one of eight community trails across the country taking part in DASANI's "Blue Bikes" program. Additional trails are located in Baltimore; Dallas; Orange County, FL; Pittsburgh; Rockmart, GA.; Salt Lake City; and Seattle.

ACTIVITIES: Festivities at the DASANI "Blue Bikes" Festival include: * An inaugural trail ride using the DASANI "Blue Bikes" * Ribbon cutting ceremony and DASANI check presentation * Bike safety demonstrations * Free food and live music by Liz Berg * Exhibits from sponsor, community and trail/bikeway organizations * Free samples of DASANI bottled water

For more information about this program, check out www.railtrails.org/membership/corporate/d asani.asp