60 new and renewing Bicycle Friendly Businesses

Today, the League of American Bicyclists recognizes 60 new and renewing Bicycle Friendly Businesses (BFBs). They join nearly 1,400 businesses in all 50 states and the District of Columbia that have earned the BFB designation since 2008.

List of new and renewing BFBs | All BFBs to date

Of the previously recognized businesses that renewed their BFB status, nearly all came in at a higher award level this round. “Seeing these businesses re-apply to the program after utilizing our feedback and implementing the League’s recommendations to become more bicycle-friendly is an exciting validation of the BFB program,” says Amelia Neptune, Director of the Bicycle Friendly America program. “Our goal is to help these workplaces find more ways to support bicycling internally and externally, and to identify the ways that bicycling can help bolster their business. Whether it’s to attract employees and customers, or to build a more positive workplace culture or meet sustainability targets — the BFB program has proven that bikes can help businesses with all of this and more.”

One of the businesses that achieved a higher status this round is Nationwide Insurance in Columbus, OH, which introduced a Make Safe Happen children’s bike safety campaign and moved from Honorable Mention to Bronze status after following guidance from the League’s feedback on their previous application. Texas Instruments in Dallas, TX, advanced from Bronze to Silver BFB status, and The World Bank Group in Washington, DC, progressed from Silver to Gold status. The World Bank headquarters has been a destination for National Bike Summit mobile workshops in 2016 and 2017.  As with most Bicycle Friendly Businesses, they have seen an increase in bike commuters thanks to the improvements made. “‘If you build it, they will come’ has proven true with regards to our bicyclist community,” says Adam Rubinfield, Sustainability Coordinator for The World Bank Group. “The more bike parking spots and locker rooms we build, the more they are used.”

Every year, more cities in the U.S. are welcoming bikeshare systems. So, it’s not surprising that this cohort of BFBs includes three bikeshare operators from around the country. Coming in as a new Silver BFB is Bicycle Transit Systems’ Las Vegas, NV, office. Both Shared Mobility in Buffalo, NY, and Motivate’s Brooklyn, NY, headquarters earned Gold BFB status. The BFB review process takes into account input from local advocates and employees as well as information provided by the business itself. Rich Conroy, Director of Education at Bike New York had this to say, “Motivate owns Citibike. Many of their staff have long tenure in the local bike community. They partner with Bike New York to offer Citibike Street Skills classes, Citibike for Youth, Citibike to School, and Prescribe a Bike.”

This round welcomes two new Platinum BFBs, both improving from Gold status. Absolute Bikes in Flagstaff, AZ, is Arizona’s first Platinum BFB. Dero Bike Racks in Minneapolis, MN, is noted for its support of bicycle advocacy across the country. In addition to sponsoring the League’s Bicycle Friendly Business program, Dero contributes to over two dozen state and local advocacy organizations from New York to Hawaii. The bike rack manufacturer recently moved to a new building, and “made sure to have all the bike amenities that staff would need. We also made sure that the location was near bike infrastructure, so people’s bike commutes would be pleasant.”

Also located in Minneapolis is U.S. Bank Stadium, a new Bronze BFB. It has the distinction of being the first major events stadium in the nation to receive a BFB award. “The most positive outcome of the company’s support for bicycling is the potential impact it has on our carbon footprint. We are committed to being one of the most environmentally responsible stadiums in the country, and supporting alternative modes of transportation, especially biking, is one of our main sustainability initiatives.”  

New Silver BFB Dohn Construction in Fort Collins, CO, emphasized the importance of the Bicycle Friendly Business application process itself for their business.  “Submitting this application is the biggest investment in time and money the company has put forth towards being bicycle-friendly. We were already doing many of the things included in the application, but we were inspired to bolster our program thanks to the ideas we got from the application process.”

To apply for bicycle-friendly recognition for your business, or to learn more about the BFB program, visit bikeleague.org/business.

About the Bicycle Friendly America℠ Program

The Bicycle Friendly Community℠, Bicycle Friendly State℠, Bicycle Friendly Business℠ and Bicycle Friendly University℠ programs are generously supported by program partner Dero Bike Racks and League members. To learn more about building a Bicycle Friendly America, visit www.bikeleague.org/BFA.

The League of American Bicyclists is leading the movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. As leaders, our commitment is to listen and learn, define standards and share best practices to engage diverse communities and build a powerful, unified voice for change.