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Bicycle Friendly Business Program
What is a Bicycle Friendly Employer?
You are a bicycle-friendly employer if you actively promote
bicycling for transportation, recreation, exercise, and sport.
You weave cycling into your organization’s culture and give
your employees the opportunity to be active stewards of their
personal and environmental health through cycling.
Benefits of Being Bicycle Friendly – for the Employee
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More energy throughout the day
Improved health and happiness
Points for fitness incentive program
Lower travel costs
Increased travel options
Sense of pride in employer’s commitment to social
responsibility
Benefits of Being Bicycle Friendly – for the Employer
 Improved employee health means lower health care
costs
 Decreased absenteeism
 Increased productivity
 Employee attraction and retention - cool workplace
 Potential reduction in auto parking facility costs
 Practical way to achieve sustainability goals
 Improves your green image in the community
 Opportunity for national and local corporate leadership
Important Criteria for Bicycle Friendly Business
Designation (the 4 E’s)
Engineering
 Showers are on-site and are free for employee use
 The business provides secure and convenient bike parking
(indoor bike room, outdoor bike lockers, outdoor covered
and enclosed racks)
Encouragement
 There are incentives provided by the business for
employees to commute to work by bike
 The business works with local advocates to improve
bicycling conditions for the community
 The business supports a bicycle team/club
Education
 The business offers bicycle education classes
 Bicycling education materials are available to employees
on a regular basis
Evaluation
 The business has a bike coordinator (full, part-time or
volunteer) to help promote cycling
 The business sets and evaluates annual goals to help
increase ridership
League of American Bicyclists - Bicycle Friendly
Business Designation Process
Application
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January and June deadlines, awards announced in April and
October
Multi-campus organizations may apply as individual campuses or all
campuses combined
Review
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League of American Bicyclists staff review
External reviewers score each application
Employees, customers, and local advocates are asked to comment
on the bicycle-friendliness of the business
Achievements must be demonstrated in all four of these categories:
o Engineering
o Encouragement
o Education
o Evaluation and Planning
Award
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Designation is for four years, with a simple renewal form
Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze
Over 800 employers have achieved one of these 4 levels (only 17
Platinum and 91 Gold)
18 in Michigan (2 Gold, 6 Silver, 10 Bronze)
10 in Grand Rapids (1 Gold--Catalyst Partners; 3 Silver--Brewery
Vivant, Cascade Engineering, Mel Trotter Ministries; 6 Bronze-Amway, Gordon Food Service, Priority Health, Rockford
Construction, Steelcase, Village Bike)
Direct Benefits
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Detailed feedback on how to improve your bicycle friendliness
National press release by the League
Profile on the League website, mention on League Facebook
Profile in the League’s Bicycle Friendly America Yearbook (online
and distributed to 10,000 homes across the nation)
Local media release opportunity
Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition
Bicycle Friendly Business Program
Services
Assessment, Recommendations Report, and Development of Action Plan
Assessment of Bicycle Friendliness
 Encouragement
 Engineering
 Education
 Evaluation and Planning
Recommendation Report
Development of Action Plan
Action Steps - Implementation and Guidance
Potential Action Steps - Services
 Bicycle safety classes
 Bicycle safety materials
 Corporate website bicycling content
 Maintenance classes
 Maintenance space and supplies specifications
 Commuter mentoring and bike route mapping assistance
 Bike pooling programs
 Bicycle parking specifications (lockers, shelters, racks)
 Repair stand specifications
 Shower/locker room/towel service specifications
 Incentive/benefit development
 Development of business-wide cycling goals
 Bike lending program/campus bikes
 Guaranteed ride home program
 Job description for staff bicycle coordinator
 GGRBC partnership opportunities
 Coordination with The Rapid’s employer program
 Public infrastructure advocacy/investment opportunities
Prepare Application to League of American Bicyclists - Bicycle Friendly Business
Designation