The League of American Bicyclists has announced the first winners of its new Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) designation. Bikes Belong is a lead sponsor of the Bicycle Friendly Business program, which assists companies and organizations in developing bicycle commuting programs and incentives for employees and recognizes them for their efforts to promote bicycling.

Thirteen businesses from across the country—from natural food manufacturers, to planning and design firms, and independent bicycle dealers—were recognized by the League at the Interbike Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, last week.

"We are delighted to launch this exciting BFB program at Interbike and to be able to recognize the efforts of some incredible companies—both within and outside the bicycle industry—with our first round of awards," said League President Andy Clarke. "These companies are offering their employees the kind of benefits and quality of life improvements that are priceless in terms of loyalty, productivity and the environment. They are also delivering real bottom-line benefits by having fitter and healthier staff."

Award winners this round were:

Gold
Alta Planning Design, Portland, Oregon
Clif Bar & Company, Berkeley, California
Landry's Bicycles, Boston, Massachusetts
Quality Bicycle Products, Bloomington, Minnesota

Silver
Community Cycles, Boulder, Colorado
Ecology Action, Santa Cruz, California
REI - Northbrook, Illinois Store

Bronze
California Giant Berry Farms, Watsonville, California
EasyStreet Online Services, Beaverton, Oregon
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, Roanoke, Virginia
Santa Cruz Seaside Company, Santa Cruz, California
Urban AdvenTours, Boston, Massachusetts
Whatcom Council of Governments, Bellingham, Washington

Honorable Mentions were given to:
Atlassian, San Francisco, California
Beckmann's Bakery, Santa Cruz, California
Geo. H. Wilson, Inc., Santa Cruz, California
National Park Service, Midwest Regional Office, Omaha, Nebraska
Sprinkle Consulting, Inc., Lutz, Florida
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., Watertown, Massachusetts

Any company can apply for a Bicycle Friendly Business designation—bronze, silver, gold or platinum—by filling out the application. The application covers infrastructure issues, like secure bike parking and employee changing areas, incentives provided by employers, instruction and reminders to ride safely and methodology for employers track progress and increase participation.

League of American Bicyclists staffers are available to consult with individual companies and offer suggestions on program development. Rising fuel and health care prices for businesses of all sizes have combined to provide appropriate timing for the new Bicycle Friendly Businesses initiative. “Businesses across the nation are rising to the challenge of reducing their carbon footprint and improving the health of their employees," Clarke said. "We are excited to be able to provide a roadmap to help achieve both these goals, and to recognize those companies that are leading the way.”

For more information on Bicycle Friendly Business, including the application process, criteria for designation and a toolkit for best practices, click here.

The Bicycle Friendly Business program is generously supported by program sponsors Bikes Belong and Trek's One World Two Wheels program.