City and Sports Backers Receive League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly Business Award Designations
The League of American Bicyclists today recognized the City of Richmond and the Metropolitan Richmond Sports Backers with Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) award designations for leading America toward a greener future. The City of Richmond received a bronze level BFB award for City Hall, Marshall Street Plaza and John Marshall Courts complex. Sports Backers received a silver level BFB award for their efforts of encouraging a more welcoming bicycle friendly atmosphere for their employees and the community. The City also received a bronze award for the third consecutive year as a Bicycle Friendly Community.
With the announcement of 80 new and renewing BFBs today in 29 states and Washington, D.C., Richmond and Sports Backers join a cutting-edge group of more than 650 local businesses, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies across the United States that are transforming the American workplace. The U.S. is at an environmental turning point, and businesses across the country are addressing this by turning to one simple, cost-effective and fun tool: the bicycle.
“Visionary business leaders are recognizing the real-time and long term impact that a culture of bicycling can create,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists. “We applaud this new round of businesses for investing in a more sustainable future for the country and a healthier future for their employees.”
Parking is at a premium near City Hall, so bike accessibility provides a convenient way for residents to access City services. The City encourages bicycling as an easy option for transportation and provides amenities for City employees including covered bike parking, a shower and lockers in the nearby gym facility, and incentives such as a free transit pass and participation in Ridefinders’ Emergency Ride Home program.
“As our City prepares for next week’s 2014 CapTech USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships and the 2015 UCI World Road Cycling Championships, I am extremely pleased to learn of the City’s downtown government offices being named as a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Business and our city as a Bicycle Friendly Community,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “I would like to thank the League of American Bicyclists for these two very special acknowledgements. It is my hope that with our city hosting two prominent cycling events accompanied with these very special national recognitions, that we continue our efforts to be a catalyst in making Richmond more bicycle friendly.”
“We are proud to be among the many other businesses and organizations in the region that make an effort to ensure commuting by bike is a viable transportation option for their employees, and we welcome the opportunity to work with other businesses to increase our regional bike friendly business presence,” said Max Hepp-Buchanan, Sports Backers director of Bike Walk RVA.
Moving forward, the City and Sports Backers will have access to a variety of free tools and technical assistance from the League of American Bicyclists. As the City continues preparing for the upcoming bike races, residents, visitors and City employees are all encouraged to travel by bicycle. The benefits of cycling include a reduction in healthcare costs, reduced emissions, decreased traffic and a reduced need for parking spaces.
To apply or learn more about the League of American Bicyclists’ free BFB program, visit http://bikeleague.org/content/businesses.
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 Trek Bicycle. To learn more about building a Bicycle Friendly America, visit www.bikeleague.org/BFA
The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. The League represents the interests of America's 57 million bicyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org.
With the announcement of 80 new and renewing BFBs today in 29 states and Washington, D.C., Richmond and Sports Backers join a cutting-edge group of more than 650 local businesses, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies across the United States that are transforming the American workplace. The U.S. is at an environmental turning point, and businesses across the country are addressing this by turning to one simple, cost-effective and fun tool: the bicycle.
“Visionary business leaders are recognizing the real-time and long term impact that a culture of bicycling can create,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists. “We applaud this new round of businesses for investing in a more sustainable future for the country and a healthier future for their employees.”
Parking is at a premium near City Hall, so bike accessibility provides a convenient way for residents to access City services. The City encourages bicycling as an easy option for transportation and provides amenities for City employees including covered bike parking, a shower and lockers in the nearby gym facility, and incentives such as a free transit pass and participation in Ridefinders’ Emergency Ride Home program.
“As our City prepares for next week’s 2014 CapTech USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships and the 2015 UCI World Road Cycling Championships, I am extremely pleased to learn of the City’s downtown government offices being named as a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Business and our city as a Bicycle Friendly Community,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “I would like to thank the League of American Bicyclists for these two very special acknowledgements. It is my hope that with our city hosting two prominent cycling events accompanied with these very special national recognitions, that we continue our efforts to be a catalyst in making Richmond more bicycle friendly.”
“We are proud to be among the many other businesses and organizations in the region that make an effort to ensure commuting by bike is a viable transportation option for their employees, and we welcome the opportunity to work with other businesses to increase our regional bike friendly business presence,” said Max Hepp-Buchanan, Sports Backers director of Bike Walk RVA.
Moving forward, the City and Sports Backers will have access to a variety of free tools and technical assistance from the League of American Bicyclists. As the City continues preparing for the upcoming bike races, residents, visitors and City employees are all encouraged to travel by bicycle. The benefits of cycling include a reduction in healthcare costs, reduced emissions, decreased traffic and a reduced need for parking spaces.
To apply or learn more about the League of American Bicyclists’ free BFB program, visit http://bikeleague.org/content/businesses.
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 Trek Bicycle. To learn more about building a Bicycle Friendly America, visit www.bikeleague.org/BFA
The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. The League represents the interests of America's 57 million bicyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org.