BikeLid Systems and Starlite Media, LLC

Company Background

 •Necessity begets the BikeLid®:   In 1994, a field engineer for the physics lab at the   University of Washington returns to his frequently-vandalized bicycle to find yet another bike component stolen. The engineer, Steve Voorhees, uses his background in product design and sculpture to create the BikeLid®, an eye-catching, fully-enclosed  bicycle storage and protection unit which completely shields bicycles against theft,vandalism and the elements.

 •BikeLid Systems is formed: Voorhees finds partners to help him form BikeLid Systems LLC (BLS). BLS starts to manufacture BikeLids® in Boise, emphasizing the use of recycled materials.  Marketing offices are established in Seattle and New York City.

  •Olympic debut: BikeLids® enter the bike security market with a high-visibility debut atthe 1996 Atlanta Olympics.  An Olympic venue manager comments: “Sixteen  consecutive sell-out sessions with no bicycle thefts or damage.  BikeLids® were used by our spectators 100% of the time and garnered many compliments for their  utility and ease of use.”   The Games start a trend: to date, there has not been a single report of bicycle theft or vandalism from a properly locked  BikeLid®.

 •Momentum builds in Chicago: In 1997 BikeLid® units successfully complete a ten-weektest in Chicago, prompting significant press attention and a large purchase order from that City.  Locations from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine install BikeLids®.

 •BLS becomes an outdoor media company, Starlite Media, LLC (SLM): Utilizing theBikeLid’s® strong outdoor media potential,  SLM creates the unique “SPARK™” Sponsored Bicycle Parking program.  SPARK™ addresses the funding gap for bicycle parking by enlisting the private sector.  Through the program, SLM supplies secure bicycle parking, support services, and a share of sponsorship revenues to locations at No cost via  sponsorship sales, while benefiting sponsors through high-impact message opportunities in high-traffic locations.

   •SLM becomes a fast-growing outdoor advertising company:  SLM through use of the “SPARK™” program had successfully secured contracts with many large REITs, municipalities and universities.  In fact, the potential for growth for SLM’s outdoor advertising business, created through the use of the Bikelid®, grew so large, manufacturing of BikeLids ceased while SLM’s focus over the past few years has been the development of Starlites® displays in outdoor shopping centers throughout the top markets of the United States.

 •Demand for Bikelid® continues:  Due to the ever increasing demand for secure bicycle parking (as evidenced by several unsolicited requests for Bikelids® by municipalities and  transit groups in the past year) and the environmental benefits provided thereby SLM  is now dedicated to the large scale expansion of the Bikelid®program.