More than 500,000 American employees now work at a Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB), according to the League of American Bicyclists, which announced 67 new BFBs. The advocacy group now counts 412 local businesses, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies among BFBs. 


The BFB list spans Fortune 500 companies like AstraZeneca and Rockwell Collins; major cities, like Indianapolis, Ind. and Durham, N.C.; government agencies, like the Federal Communications Commission; nonprofits, like the Nature Conservancy and Outdoor Chattanooga, and major retailers like REI locations in Montana, California and Connecticut.


New recipients of the BFB award include:

 


  • American Family Insurance- Madison, Wis. (Bronze): “Our company improved safe bicycle access to our facility by adding signage to divert bicyclists onto paved bike lanes, installed covered bike parking, increased locker facilities and created a 'bicycle resources' intranet site that provides bike route maps, a guaranteed ride home program and other tips,” said Rita Garczynski, facilities site manager. “The company's support for bicycle commuting has encouraged employees to make lifestyle changes that have resulted in improved health and engagement while having a positive impact on the environment by reducing our carbon footprint.”
  • Massachusetts Department of Transportation- Boston, Mass. (Bronze): “We're proud to be the first DOT in the nation recognized as a Bicycle Friendly Business,” said MassDOT Secretary Richard Davey. “MassDOT's core business is transportation and consistent with our 'Green DOT policy' we're committed to promoting bicycling as a healthy and efficient mode of travel.” Among other innovations and improvements, in 2010, MassDOT launched a pilot bike pool, so employees have the option to ride a bike to a meeting or a site. 
  • Carilion Clinic- Roanoke, Va. (Bronze): “As the region's primary health care provider, Carilion is dedicated to working with our communities to improve the overall health of the people we serve,” said Nancy Howell Agee, Carilion Clinic's president and CEO. “Bicycling is one way our employees can improve their own health and be role models for the importance of physical activity in a healthy lifestyle.”

Visit bikeleague.org/businesses for a full list of Bicycle Friendly Businesses and to learn more. For photos, contacts and additional information on awardees, contact Carolyn Szczepanski, League Communications Director, at (202) 822-1333, Carolyn@bikeleague.org.