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Douglas Benton, a business owner in Alcoa, is encouraging people to “get off the couch and exercise.”

Benton and his wife, Trysh Benton, have opened Wheels 4 Tomorrow, a bike rental and sales shop, The Bentons decided to open the business came after Douglas bought a chainless bicycle for himself.

The Bentons offer bike rentals for chainless bikes, which have internal, effortless shifting. They also offer rentals for battery-powered bikes, which, Douglas Benton said, will go up to 30 miles on one charge. He said it costs about 25 cents to charge the bike, which is nothing compared to gas prices.

“With the environment the way it is, we want to get people off the roads...we need to live more like the Europeans do,” Douglas Benton said. “We’re hauling around a ton and a half of metal just to get a gallon of milk.”

“(We) have this beautiful 11-mile greenway and we need to take advantage of it,” he said.

Trysh Benton, who lived in Los Angeles before coming to Tennessee, agreed.

“(There is this) beautiful bike path and people do not realize what an advantage it is,” she said.

Douglas Benton, who has a titanium knee, said biking is easier for him because there is no impact and it is a healthy way to get some exercise.

The Bentons, who have three girls, said they hope to bring families together for biking activities.

Trysh Benton said parents will buy bikes for their kids, but they will not ride with their kids. With the rental program and the shop’s proximity to the Greenway, parents will be able to rent bikes to ride with their kids.

Douglas Benton said he and his wife also hope to work with city schools on bike safety. They also offer a BMX-style bicycle that will appeal to younger cyclists.

Prices on the rentals vary from bike to bike. Helmets will be supplied with every rental and the shop will eventually sell biking accessories. They will also offer gift packages that will include a half-day’s rental, a fanny pack and an energy bar.
The shop on Aluminum Avenue.