The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation and the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce announced a "Shop By Bike" program that encourages a healthy way to shop locally with a punch-card system.

As part of the promotion, one lucky bike shopper will win a new Giant Sedona comfort bike valued at $320 courtesy of Dan's Bike Shop in Berwyn. Other prizes include $500 in Madison Street gift certificates in various amounts, donated by the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce for use at participating "Shop By Bike" merchants, a $50 gift certificate from Dan's Bike Shop and a combined prize from the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation that includes a one-year membership and one free registration to the 2005 Bike the Drive event.

The "Shop By Bike" program runs from September 11 through October 30. Participants can pick up punch cards at the Chamber booth at the September 11 Forest Park French Market on Madison Street. Punch cards are also available at participating ,,Shop By Bikeo/oo merchants (hours vary) and the Chamber,s office (Monday, Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), 7344 West Madison Street, on the second floor of the Forest Park National Bank & Trust Co.

Bike shoppers simply need to make a $5 purchase at any participating merchant to get their cards punched, with one punch per purchase and six punches completing a card. Completed cards should be dropped off at any participating merchant or the Chamber office no later than October 29 to be eligible for the raffle drawing. The drawing will take place October 30 at the Forest Park French Market. Bike shoppers may complete as many cards as they want.

"Our Shop By Bike, program adds real vibrancy to our community and encourages shopping at local merchants,o/oo said Laurie Kokenes, executive director of the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce. ,,We look forward to seeing people out on the street and staying healthy by biking while they shop."

"This is the first shop by bike program in this area and we,re pleased to be working with the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce and community to make it happen,o/oo said Pamela Brookstein, west suburban coordinator for the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation.

"Shop By Bikeo/oo participating merchants include (check with Forest Park Chamber of Commerce after program starts for complete list):

Accents by Fred
The Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor
Centuries and Sleuths Bookstore
Cocina Los Lobos
Flavour Cooking School
Forest Park Emporium
Healy's Westside
Krenek's Antiques
Molly Malone's
Paulson's Paint
R. Quitsch Florist
Schauer's Ace Hardware
Sepheryn Massage Therapy
Team Blonde Jewelry
Trage Appliances
Two Fish Art Glass

Dan's Bike Shop, 6715 W Roosevelt Rd, Berwyn, is also offering participants a 20 percent discount on shop-by-bike accessories, such as racks and baskets, and $15 off tune-ups over $50.

The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation was founded in 1985 to improve the bicycling environment in the seven-county Chicago region. The organization promotes bicycle safety, education, and facilities and encourages the use of the bicycle as an energy-efficient, economical and nonpolluting form of transportation and as a healthful and enjoyable form of recreation. For more information, please visit www.biketraffic.org.

The Forest Park Chamber of Commerce, Forest Park,s oldest business organization, is a group of local businesses, organizations and community-minded individuals working together to promote business and a sense of community. Organized since 1912, the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce operates under the leadership of a board of directors comprised of local business people, professionals and government officials who invest their time to the work of the Chamber. For more information, please visit www.forestparkchamber.org.