The Bicycle-Friendly Businesses List Grows to 1,050

Photo by Vanessa

For the year of 2015, The League of American Bicyclists has awarded 100 new as well as renewing Bicycle Friendly Businesses (BFBs) in thirty-one states and Washington, D.C. Each year the League releases a new list of BFB awardees in four levels: Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze.

With this new list, the program officially includes 1,050 local businesses, government agencies, and Fortune 500 companies from all over the country that are redefining what it means to be a progressive, productive company in America. There are currently BFBs in forty-seven states and D.C.

Bicycle Friendly Businesses encourage a more bicycle-friendly atmosphere for employees and customers alike. Not only is biking fun and supports a more energized staff, but regular exercise also increases the ability to stay focused, sleep well, and generally maintain a happier attitude and a healthier immune system. By encouraging employees to bike, BFBs attract alert and productive employees while decreasing healthcare costs. Not bad.

Not only is cycling great for employees, but by being a bicycle-friendly also tends to appeal to customers who bike, a great economic decision as bicycling has been demonstrated to improve many business’ bottom line.

This year, the Architect of the Capitol, which employs a staff of 2,300 and oversees the maintenance and operation of all congressional buildings and land throughout Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., was awarded Bronze Bicycle-friendly Business status by the League.

The Architect of the Capitol has been working in collaboration with the Congressional Bike Caucus to share information throughout the Capitol campus, and has also helped to restart the Federal Interagency Bike Working Group as a means to share information about the best practices within the federal community.

Another new addition to the list, Hewlett Packard, also received the Bronze this year. Hewlett Packard employs about 1,900 employees at its Fort Collins, Colo., location. The company encourages their employees to cycle by hosting lunch-and-learn seminars on site. Informative for all levels of bikers, the seminars focus on bicycling tips, such as winter riding, and basic rules of the road.

Also noteworthy is that on this year’s list of BFBs, there are four companies that reached Platinum level: Sonos  Inc, Partners for Active Living, Quality Bicycle Products – West, and Trek Travel. Notably, all four companies are new to the list – an impressive feat, to say the least.

To reach any level on the League of American Bicyclists’ list is an achievement. With the almost overwhelming benefits of cycling, it is no wonder that the list grows each year and more and more companies across America are taking notice of the positive side effects of encouraging a bike-friendly environment at work.