The League of American Bicyclists has welcomed 57 new and renewing Bicycle Friendly Businesses (BFBs) to the Bicycle Friendly America program. Over 1,200 businesses from across the United States have earned this status. Now there are BFBs in 49 states and the District of Columbia.
“We are excited to welcome these new and returning Bicycle Friendly Businesses.” said Bill Nesper, Bike League Program Director. “Congratulations to these businesses for demonstrating what can be done to make bicycling safe, comfortable and convenient and for taking the lead in creating a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone.”
The top ranks of BFBs are now filled with more bicycle industry companies and advocate organizations. Three businesses moved from Gold to Platinum status this round: Kona Bicycle Company in Bellingham, WA, Ground Control Systems in Sacramento, CA, and Washington Area Bicyclist Association in Washington, DC.
The BFB program welcomed two new Fortune 500 companies, Bank of America’s Columbia, SC, offices and new Bronze awardee Praxair of Tonawanda, NY; renewing applicant Williams-Sonoma of San Francisco, CA, moved up from Bronze to Silver status.
The Williams-Sonoma headquarters offers bike parking, showers, lockers, free annual tune-ups, bicycling safety education workshops and a fleet of bikes for staff to use. This, combined with a good location in Gold Bicycle Friendly Community San Francisco, makes bicycling ‘a great option for staff and visitors’.
New Bronze BFB organisation, Billings TrailNet in Billings, MT, has an earn-a-bike program for veterans and homeless individuals.
Campbell Thomas and Co. Architects in Philadelphia, PA, which rose from Silver to Gold level in this round, provides ‘education on the role of bicycle transportation in each person’s personal economic and intellectual well-being.’
Utah Valley Hospital in Provo, UT, a new Bronze BFB, supports commuting and recreational cyclists and works actively with the community to make improvements for bicycling. The hospital provides cash incentives for bicycle commuters and subsidized company-branded cycling kits for employees and community members to participate in an external cycling team sponsored by hospital. The team leads rides and provides free bike safety and maintenance clinics for riders of all levels. Their impressive indoor and outdoor bicycle parking facilities will receive further upgrades in 2019.
The Bicycle Friendly Community, Bicycle Friendly State, Bicycle Friendly Business and Bicycle Friendly University programs are supported by program partner Trek Bicycle Corp and Silver-level BFA Sponsor Planet Bike.
www.bikeleague.org/business
www.bikeleague.org/BFA
