Shimano, the world’s largest bicycle component manufacturer, announces today a series of philanthropic biking events across the country, as part of its effort to introduce and re-engage Americans with the fun of riding a bike. The 10-city Coasting tour will offer Americans the chance to experience the casual bike riding experience Coasting offers, and support Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), a non-profit organization that helps create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines.

“We’re excited about this tour that will encourage people to get on bikes, and encourage them to support an organization that creates great places to ride,” said Shannon Bryant, Shimano Coasting Girl. “It’s an ideal partnership encouraging healthier lifestyles through outdoor recreation and bicycling.”

The tour includes public events allowing consumers the opportunity to test ride Coasting bicycles, interact with local bicycle retailers and make donations to RTC that Shimano will match in every market. In select cities, the Coasting demo tour will appear at popular locations ranging from farmer’s markets and baseball games to music festivals, health and fitness expos to stand-alone events at local parks and bike paths. As part of Shimano’s sponsorship of Bicycling Magazine’s BikeTown program, the multi-city Coasting tour will hold events in six of the BikeTown cities, as well as several additional markets. Detailed information about tour locations and event schedules can be found at: www.coasting.com.

“Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is thrilled to be a beneficiary of Shimano’s Coasting tour,” said Keith Laughlin, president of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. “The Coasting lifestyle is re-introducing people to the joy of riding a bike, and RTC is happy to offer more than 15,000 miles of rail-trail where people can do just that; where they can rediscover what it feels like to be a kid again.”

With seven leading bicycle manufacturers producing Coasting-equipped bicycles for 2008, the momentum for Coasting continues as the variety of Coasting-equipped bicycles on the market has more than doubled this year. Consumers can find Coasting-equipped bicycles ranging from futuristic cruisers, fashionable yet functional urban bicycles, to vintage-inspired rides from participating manufacturers: Fuji, Giant Bicycle, K2, Phat Cycles, Raleigh, Schwinn and Trek.

Coasting is a casual bike experience for the millions of Americans who remember riding a bike as a kid and want to relive that experience effortlessly. The bikes are easy to ride, the technology is hidden, and the experience is designed around the casual rider’s needs. The bikes feature Shimano’s automatic shifting Coasting system that uses a combination of user-generated power, electronics and components to create an effortless ride that virtually anyone can enjoy. Coasting bicycles are available from each manufacturer through hundreds of independent bicycle dealers all across the country. For more information about Coasting, including product information, a dealer locator, a route finder and mapping tool, and even a calendar with reasons to ride daily, please visit www.coasting.com.

Shimano American Corporation is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Shimano, Inc. a multi-national manufacturer of bicycle components and fishing tackle. The company has operations in Irvine, Calif., Woodland, Wash., Broomfield, Colo., Peterborough, Ontario, and Kirchzarten, Germany.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization with more than 100,000 members and donors, advocates for healthier places for healthier people by creating a nationwide network of public trails, many from former rail lines and connecting corridors. Founded in 1986, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s national office is located in Washington, D.C. Visit Rails-to-Trails Conservancy on the Web at www.railstotrails.org