Today, the League of American Bicyclists recognized Thrive Allen County with a silver Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) award, earning it a place alongside over 1,400 businesses across the country contributing to the movement to build a more Bicycle Friendly America.
“Every May, National Bike Month and Bike to Work Week mark a celebration of the joy bikes bring us and a chance to recognize those who help others find extra inspiration to get out and get moving by bike, like these 45 new and renewing Bicycle Friendly Businesses,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. “Just as the League believes bikes should be celebrated every day, a Bicycle Friendly Business is the kind of employer or destination that offers encouragement, education, and resources to help commuters, both in their staff and in their surrounding communities, bike safely and confidently year-round and the League of American Bicyclists is proud to honor that commitment.”
Thrive joins a total of 1,494 current BFBs nationwide, including everything from government agencies, Fortune 500 companies, bike shops, and other employers, all united in a commitment to transform American workplaces to be more welcoming to both customers and employees who bike. The Bicycle Friendly Business award recognizes an organization’s contributions in shifting up and accelerating the movement to build a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone.
“Thrive and businesses like it give people the peace of mind that they can bike to work, school, or their daily errands and feel welcomed,” said Nesper. “When more people can bike to more destinations, it doesn’t just impact the people who work or shop there. It cultivates stronger, healthier, pedal-powered communities, and these BFBs recognize that and are putting in the work to make bicycling a real transportation and recreation option for all people to turn to.”
Thrive’s Bike and Trails Coordinator John Leahy said, “I’m ecstatic that Thrive Allen County has received the Bike Friendly Business designation from The League of American Bicyclists, because it is a reflection of how important biking is to our community’s health, both physical and mental, as well as our local economy. Thrive strives to make cycling an accessible form of transportation and recreation to all those who interact with us. The BFB designation is made all the more meaningful, because our designation makes us the smallest community represented in Kansas. Hopefully the example our community and Thrive have created together, can serve as a blueprint for other rural communities that are looking to weave cycling into the fabric of their communities. This designation will serve as a beacon by showing that Thrive is committed to supporting and enriching our community through cycling.”
As part of the BFB network, Thrive will have access to a variety of tools and technical assistance from the League to become even more welcoming to people who bike. When employees bike, great things happen: greater community connections, improved health and wellness, and a fun and healthy work culture.
To learn more about the BFB program, or to apply, visit the League online at bikeleague.org/business. To learn more about Bike Month, visit bikeleague.org/bikemonth.
About the Bicycle Friendly America Program
To learn more about building a Bicycle Friendly America, including the Bicycle Friendly Community®(BFC), Bicycle Friendly State® (BFS), Bicycle Friendly Business® (BFB), and Bicycle Friendly University® (BFU) programs, visit www.bikeleague.org/BFA.
The League of American Bicyclists leads the national movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. With a history dating to 1880, the League is committed to engaging diverse communities and building a powerful, unified voice for change around protecting and promoting bicyclists’ rights. Learn more at www.bikeleague.org.
