Bicycle Friendly Business

About the BFB Program

What is a Bicycle Friendly Business?

A Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) is a corporation, organization, association, government agency, or non-profit that actively promotes bicycling for transportation, recreation, exercise, and sport. A BFB practices social responsibility by weaving bicycling into the business culture and gives employees the opportunity to be active stewards of their personal and environmental health through bicycling.

Is my Business Ready to Apply?

Use the BFB Scorecard to find out if your business is ready to apply. Click here to download our Bicycle Friendly America brochure. You can order free copies of the print version by sending an email to bfa@bikeleague.org.

How to Apply or Renew your Application

To be included in the next review cycle and possibly join those businesses earning the award, submit the Bicycle Friendly Business application by June 20, 2013. There are two application deadlines per year, one in January and the other in June. Renewals are due every four years after a business is designated so that the League of American Bicyclists can continue to recognize your progress. Please note that award levels may change after each application.

1) Click here to access the BFB application. You will need to create a new username and password even if you have applied before. Please note that every applicant can only have one username, which will need to be shared among several editors. There is no special form for re-applications and renewals.

2) After a brief review of your general business profile, you will be allowed to continue to the audit portion of the application, which asks questions about the engineering, education, encouragement and evaluation efforts in your business. Please make sure to answer every question completely and correctly. Use the write-in fields to provide more details, but please avoid repetitions. This comprehensive inquiry is designed to yield a holistic picture of your business' work to promote bicycling. We refer to these sections as the Four Es. Assistance in completing this part is available on our resource page.

3) You will be able to save the application to continue working on it or submit it at a later date. You will receive a notification once the application has been submitted successfully.

4) If you would like to submit additional material such as photos or program flyers, please email them to bfa@bikeleague.org.

Award Determination

A judging panel of national bicycle experts reviews the application and consults with local cyclists in your community. In addition, you will be asked to send a short online survey to your employees. You will be informed about the results of your application approximately 6 weeks after the submission deadline. The League of American Bicyclists awards Bicycle Friendly Business designations at the Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum level and acknowledges businesses that are close to becoming bicycle friendly, but still have some room to grow, with an Honorable Mention. The names of the businesses that do not achieve an award or an Honorable Mention will not be publicized.

An award is designated for four years. The League of American Bicyclists recognizes newly designated Bicycle Friendly Businesses with an award letter, a digital award seal for online and printed publications, an award decal, and a profile and a formal press announcement on the BFA website. BFBs reaching the Silver to Platinum range on the first try – or move up at least one level at renewal - will also receive a beautiful piece of art from a unique series of prints by New York artist Taliah Lempert.

You will receive detailed feedback on how to improve the business for cyclists approximately 3-4 months after the submission deadline. BFB staff will continue to work with you to encourage continual improvements.

The Four E's

The Bicycle Friendly Business program evaluates applicants’ efforts to promote bicycling in four primary areas: encouragement, education, engineering, and evaluation. Examples of these measures include:

Engineering: Safe cycling access; bike racks for employees and guests; showers and lockers for commuters and lunchtime riders.

Education: Bike-safety programs; mentorship for new commuters; and equipment tutorials.

Encouragement: Benefits for bike commuters; paid mileage for trips made by bike; loaner bikes for errands and short trips; and earn-a-bike programs.

Evaluation: An assessment of what’s already being done and what to aim for in the future; in-house bike coordinators; and target ridership numbers. This is also the section to highlight your business’s unique programs and policies that promote and celebrate bicycling—from loaner bikes for short trips and in-house spin classes to supporting charity rides and sponsoring bike-racing teams.

The National Advisory Group

The National Advisory Group provides guidance on BFB program development and priorities. Members include:

Jennifer Toole, Toole Design Group
Julia Diana, City of San Antonio
Natalie Cappucio Britt, Palmetto Conservation Foundation
Jeff Olson, Alta Planning+Design
Robert Ping, Safe Routes to School National Partnership
Tim Potter, Michigan State University
Jim Sebastian, DC Office of Transportation Planning
Sarah Strunk, Active Living By Design
Zoe Kircos, Bikes Belong Coalition
Alan Turnbull, National Park Service
Andy Williamson, International Mountain Bike Association
Ariadne Delon Scott, Stanford University
Robbie Webber, Bike Walk Madison
Carl Sundstrom, Pedestrian & Bicycle Information Center
Ed Barsotti, League of Illinois Bicyclists
Rob Sadowsky, Bicycle Transportation Alliance
Eleanor McMahon, Share the Road Cycling Coalition, Canada
Tom Huber, Toole Design Group