BFB Employees Share Their Stories: AstraZeneca and American Family Insurance

By Lindsay Plante, BFA Communications Intern

Last week, American Family Insurance in Madison, Wisconsin and AstraZeneca in Wilmington, Delaware, were among the 67 new companies added to the ranks of more than 400 Bicycle Friendly Businesses nationwide. While they both earned a Bronze designation, the two companies operate in different areas of the country and deal with different challenges in becoming bike-friendly. But employee feedback proves that biking to work has nationwide appeal.

For employees at both businesses, fitness was the main goal when they started biking to work. An American Family Insurance employee noted that, while commuting to work was a weight-loss strategy, cycling now remains a regular part of an overall healthy lifestyle. AstraZeneca employees pointed out that, with such busy schedules, it’s a great time-saver to both commute and exercise simultaneously. Other motivations for commuting by bicycle included savings on gas and environment responsibility.

Though bicycle commuting does require some investment and commitment (maintaining equipment and being aware of road safety), employees at each business believe that commuting by bicycle is doable in their area. They also feel that if other local businesses promote the benefits of cycling, from fitness to savings, and provide adequate facilities for their cyclists, they too can achieve the League’s bike-friendly designation.

AstraZeneca goes above and beyond to make cycling achievable for their employees by offering flexible hours and on-site shower and locker room facilities, while American Family Insurance also offers bike paths and a supportive environment for any employee bicycling to work.

Click here to read the cycling stories from four employees at Rockwell Collins, which received a Bronze BFB designation last week, too.