FORT COLLINS, CO — New Belgium Brewing today announced that Tour de Fat, the traveling tour of bikes, beer and philanthropy, raised more than $500,000 for local nonprofits this year, the most money ever generated in one season. The money came from beer and merchandise purchases and the cars donated in each city through the car-for-bike swap.
Now in its 13th season, Tour de Fat also broke the $2 million mark in total funds raised since its inception. The money from each stop goes to nonprofit organizations, generally in the world of bike advocacy, with money spent in a wide variety of ways, including trail maintenance, safety education, lobbying for better bicycle communities and a wide variety of other impactful initiatives.
Tour de Fat takes a whimsical approach to heightening bicycle culture by hosting a costumed bike parade and bike-themed activities, complemented by live entertainment, New Belgium beer, local food, art bikes and more.
Tour de Fat traveled to 15 cities between June and October, attracting a total of 74,400 festival attendees and 47,150 parade cyclists (up 4,850 attendees and 6,000 riders from 2011). In addition, the festival had an impressive 86 percent diversion of waste from landfills. Tour de Fat kicked off in Nashville, TN on June 2 and wrapped up in Austin, TX on October 20, visiting Washington, DC and Atlanta for the first time. Tempe, AZ raised the most money ($87,216) and New Belgium’s hometown of Ft. Collins, CO had the most parade riders and festival-goers with 21,000 people. To see how each stop performed, a city-by-city breakdown is included below.
As the pinnacle of the event, Tour de Fat hosted the sixth annual car-for-bike swap. A volunteer in each of the 15 cities traded in his or her vehicle for a bike and committed to living car-free for the next year. Each swapper chose a local bike shop to help turn a $2,250 budget into an ultimate car-replacement commuter bike. Vehicles for Charity auctioned the cars, with proceeds benefitting Tour De Fat’s local nonprofit partners. You can visit the swappers’ blog at http://trademycarforabike.tumblr.com/.
“Fifteen cities, thousands of miles, lots of sunburns, and a few beers along the way equals another fun season,” said Matt Kowal, Tour De Fat Impresario. “Thanks to all who helped raise money for bicycle advocacy across the USA!”
To see photos, videos, and other details from some of the 2012 tour stops, visit https://www.facebook.com/TourDeFat. For more details on New Belgium Brewing, go to http://www.newbelgium.com/.
Tour de Fat Breakdown City-by-City
Grand Totals
- Total Funds Raised: $496,270 (not including auctioned car proceeds)
- Attendees: 74,400
- Parade Attendance: 49,263
- Average Waste Diversion Rate: 86%
Nashville, TN — June 2
- Total Funds Raised: $18,679
- Attendees: 2,250
- Parade Attendance: 750
- Waste Diversion Rate: 88%
Washington DC — June 16
- Total Funds Raised: $20,910
- Attendees: 2,500
- Parade Attendance: 313
- Waste Diversion Rate: 71%
Durham, NC — June 23
- Total Funds Raised: $16,043
- Attendees: 2,200
- Parade Attendance: 750
- Waste Diversion Rate: 87%
Atlanta, GA — June 30
- Total Funds Raised: $6,230
- Attendees: 1,000
- Parade Attendance: 200
- Waste Diversion Rate: 80%
Milwaukee, WI — July 14
- Total Funds Raised: $11,710
- Attendees: 1,500
- Parade Attendance: 500
- Waste Diversion Rate: 89%
Chicago, IL — July 21
- Total Funds Raised: $26,536
- Attendees: 4,500
- Parade Attendance: 750
- Waste Diversion Rate: 90%
Minneapolis, MN — July 28
- Total Funds Raised: $19,753
- Attendees: 3,000
- Parade Attendance: 800
- Waste Diversion Rate: 94%
Boise, ID — August 18
- Total Funds Raised: $49,675
- Attendees: 6,500
- Parade Attendance: 5,000
- Waste Diversion Rate: 75%
Fort Collins, CO — September 1 **LARGEST ATTENDANCE**
- Total Funds Raised: $79,057
- Attendees: 21,000
- Parade Attendance: 21,000
- Waste Diversion Rate: 86%
Denver, CO — September 8
- Total Funds Raised: $71,454
- Attendees: 11,000
- Parade Attendance: 10,000
- Waste Diversion Rate: 85%
Los Angeles, CA — September 15
- Total Funds Raised: $12,974
- Attendees: 2,100
- Parade Attendance: 600
- Waste Diversion Rate: 95%
San Francisco, CA — September 22
- Total Funds Raised: $32,627
- Attendees: 5,000
- Parade Attendance: 500
- Waste Diversion Rate: n/a
San Diego, CA — September 29
- Total Funds Raised: $30,334
- Attendees: 3,500
- Parade Attendance: 1,100
- Waste Diversion Rate: 91%
Tempe, AZ — October 6 — **MOST MONEY RAISED**
- Total Funds Raised: $87,216
- Attendees: 10,000
- Parade Attendance: 5,000
- Waste Diversion Rate: 88%
Austin, TX — October 20
- Total Funds Raised: $13,073
- Attendees: 2,000
- Parade Attendance: 400
- Waste Diversion Rate: 89%
About New Belgium Brewing Company:
New Belgium Brewing Company, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, began operations in a tiny Fort Collins basement in 1991. Today, the third largest craft brewer in the U.S., New Belgium produces nine year-round beers; Fat Tire Amber Ale, Sunshine Wheat, Ranger IPA, Belgo IPA, Shift Pale Lager, Blue Paddle Pilsner, 1554 Black Ale, Abbey and Trippel, as well as a host of seasonal releases. In addition to producing world-class beers, New Belgium takes pride in being a responsible corporate role model with progressive programs such as employee ownership, open book management and a commitment to environmental stewardship. For more information, visit www.newbelgium.com.