Of Vampires and Bicycle Freindly Businesses

While the Twighlight series  New Moon is shattering records at the box office,  I was reminded of the teen-vampire film of my youth, The Lost Boys. Beyond being one of the finest works of the dynamic duo of Cory Haim and Cory Feldman, The Lost Boys holds a distinction that no other film can claim – it is set in both a Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) and Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB). The setting of the film is in Santa Cruz, CA and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk; a silver level BFC and Bronze level BFB respectfully.

Santa Cruz has numerous encouragement and education programs such as Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day, the Zero Interest Bike Loan program offered by Ecology Action, and the Bike Smart! and Ride N’ Stride school education programs. All of these things combined, along with Santa Cruz’s impressive environment for on-road and off-road riding, make the community a model to follow. Santa Cruz Seaside Company provides free breakfast to all employees who bicycle to work on Bike to Work Day,  provides secure bike lockers,  showers, emergency ride home service. Seaside Company is also a sponsor of the Amgen Tour of California and many other local tours.

While the city and Santa Cruz  Seaside Company may find it amusing to still be noted as the backdrop to the film, it is the recognition through our programs that has lasting results to their residents, visitors and employees.  The Bicycle Friendly America program staff is here to offer them assistance (and your community and business as well!) to continue to improve.