To kick off the partnership, Biketown and Validated are launching #GetValidated when you fill your Biketown basket: a co-marketing campaign to encourage people to do two things this season: shop local and explore freely.
"When it comes to cities, brick-and-mortar businesses are the backbone and lifeblood... they are what make cities what they are. By patronizing brick-and-mortar businesses, you help preserve the vitality and identity of your city." (Alanna Beckman, Director of marketing)
Validated is a mobile app that allows shops and restaurants to cover the cost of transportation for their customers. Users shop and dine at businesses listed in the app and earn credits they can transfer to any account in Validated’s syndicate of transportation providers: Lyft, Luxe, PayPal (for parking and public transit)... and now Biketown, Portland’s bike share program.
With 1,000 bikes at 100 stations across the city, Biketown makes exploring Portland both fun and convenient; and with Validated, their already affordable rates are nearly negligible. But the partnership is bigger than bikes. It’s a win for the businesses too: the reimbursements they offer via Validated have shown to drive sales, boost spending, and build loyalty.
A showcase of brimming Biketown baskets, the cross-channel kick-off pays homage to a few of the many brick-and-mortar businesses that make Portland great: Arc’teryx, Bridge & Burn, Compound Gallery, Deadstock Coffee, EcoVibe Apparel, MadeHere PDX, Marine Layer, See, and The Athletic Community. All of the businesses are on the Validated platform and will reward customers with credits they can use to enjoy a free Biketown ride.
To use Validated, one can download it free from the App Store or Play Store. Open the app to find a list of nearby merchants; search by name, neighborhood, or zip code; sort by category; or browse the map. Select a merchant to see their campaigns. Users that hit spending targets can claim credits by scanning their receipt. Credits can be stacked from multiple merchants and pushed directly to Biketown or any other mobility account on the Redeem screen.
“When it comes to cities, brick-and-mortar businesses are the backbone and lifeblood,” says Alanna Beckman, Validated’s Director of Marketing. “They comprise both local economy and local culture; they are what make cities what they are. By patronizing brick-and-mortar businesses, you help preserve the vitality and identity of your city.”
This holiday season, use Biketown to explore Portland. Eat, drink, and get validated! No matter your mode of transportation, Validated businesses will help cover the cost of getting where you want to go.
