NEW ORLEANS, La. – One of the best ways to improve your mental health is through healthy, aerobic exercise, like riding a bike. To give New Orleanians an opportunity for this during May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana has partnered with Blue Krewe, the nonprofit operator of Blue Bikes in New Orleans, to sponsor a free ride promotion.
“Exercise increases blood flow in the brain and causes your body to release hormones that boost positive feelings,” said Dr. Jeremy Wigginton, Blue Cross medical director. “Getting exercise also increases your energy levels so you feel more confident and motivated to deal with challenges.”
Now through May 31, Blue Bikes riders can use the code LetsRide to get one free, 30-minute Blue Bikes ride. In addition to exercise, free rides can be used for transportation to health care appointments.
“After the stress of the past two years, we can all recognize the important role our mental health plays in our overall well-being,” said Michael Tipton, head of Community Relations at Blue Cross and president of the Blue Cross Foundation. “We hope that New Orleanians will take advantage of this free ride promotion during May to get outdoors for some healthy exercise, go to a counseling service or health care provider for an appointment, or just to have fun with friends as we work together to be STRONGER THAN EVER and improve our mental health.”
"From riding with friends and family through City Park to pedaling to health care appointments, Blue Bikes is committed to providing healthy active transportation for New Orleanians that benefits both the body and the mind,” said Geoff Coats, Blue Krewe executive director. “This Mental Health Awareness Month, we are excited to partner with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana to provide everyone in the community with an opportunity to take a free ride on a Blue Bike. We hope everyone will take a break from their daily routine, breathe in some fresh air, breathe out some of their stress, and experience the joy of riding a bike!"
How To Get Your Free Ride:
1. Download the Blue Bikes NOLA app, which is available in the App Store and Google Play.
2. To redeem your promo code and start your free ride, open your Blue Bikes NOLA app and tap on your name in the upper-left corner. This will pull up a sidebar of account options. Tap on "promo codes," which will take you to the code redemption screen.
3. Enter the promo code LetsRide in the field provided and tap "submit." This will give you a free, 30-minute ride.
Each individual rider can only use this code one time through Tuesday, May 31. The Blue Bikes free ride codes are only valid for trips within the bikeshare program’s service area.
Show us how you used the LetsRide code by posting photos on your personal social media, tagging Blue Bikes (@BlueBikesNOLA) and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana (@BCBSLA), using the hashtags #CheckIn and #LetsRide.
Riders will be charged the standard Blue Bikes rate of 15 cents per minute plus a $1 unlocking fee for any time they ride outside of the free 30 minutes. All other standard Blue Bikes fees such as out-of-hub convenience charge and out-of-service-area fee apply.
Hometown Productions has produced a video news release about the Let’s Ride promotion with more information (8:20).
About Blue Krewe
Founded in New Orleans in 2020, Blue Krewe is a local, community-based non-profit that manages and operates the Blue Bikes program. Recognizing the importance of Blue Bikes as a healthy, equitable, and environmentally-friendly transportation option, local bikeshare enthusiasts - such former Blue Bikes staff, biking and pedestrian advocates, philanthropists and community healthcare advocates - came together to form Blue Krewe. Here at Blue Krewe, we are committed to our mission to provide the Greater New Orleans region with equitable shared micro-mobility solutions that are rooted in and supportive of our community.
The Greater New Orleans Foundation provided critical start-up funding and fiscal sponsorship for Blue Krewe. Blue Krewe's partners include Bike Easy, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and the City of New Orleans. To donate, volunteer or learn more visit www.BlueKrewe.org.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is committed to our mission to improve the health and lives of Louisianians. Founded in New Orleans in 1934, we are a tax-paying nonprofit health insurer with offices in every major region to serve our customers. We have been recognized for the past three years as an honoree of The Civic 50, named by Points of Light as one of the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. We are a private mutual company, owned by our policyholders, with an independent Louisiana Board of Directors and no shareholders. We invite all Louisianians to visit our website at www.bcbsla.com or talk to us on social media.
About the Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF)
With roots extending over 90 years, the Greater New Orleans Foundation has been connecting generous people to the causes that spark their passion. As one of the most trusted philanthropic organizations in the region, we work every day to drive positive impact through philanthropy, leadership, and action in our thirteen-parish region. In addition to grantmaking, we convene people, resources, and ideas to create intelligent strategies and solutions to meet our region’s greatest challenges. We are proud to serve as a vocal civic leader with our partners to ensure a vibrant, sustainable, and just region for all. Learn more at www.gnof.org.
We're sorry, something went wrong! Please refresh your browser and try again.