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Bicycle Friendly Businesses

Why are so many businesses working to improve conditions for bicycling for their employees and customers?  Because it makes sense for the bottom line and for the community!

Find inspiration from Wisconsin’s own Bicycle Friendly Businesses (BFB) and Universities (BFU), as recognized by the League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly America program. After you check out the list, be encouraged by the positive benefits and resources that follow to make your business more supportive for cyclists. (We also have a list of Wisconsin Bicycle Friendly Communities!)

Improved Ability to Attract and Retain a Talented Workforce

Today’s competitive salaries, costly benefits, and mobile workforce mean workplace amenities can be the key to attracting and retaining the most talented employees. Businesses with attractive bicycle parking, bike commuter benefits, changing rooms, etc., have a definite advantage in the human resource department.

As the popularity of bicycling networking rides increases, bicycling is being called the new golf, without the expensive membership and greens fees.

Reduced Healthcare Costs

  • QBP, a $150 million/year wholesale distribution company with more than 450 employees headquartered in the Twin Cities, reduced its company health care costs by $900,000 over a three-year period by implementing a bicycle commuter benefit program (annual cost of $45,000).
  • QBP found monthly health insurance claims from employees who bike to work were $95 compared to $261 for non-bike commuters.
  • Studies show employees who bike to work are absent less than their coworkers by one day per year.

Improved Productivity

  • Extrapolated to QBP’s 464 employees, the bike commuting program productivity impact generates an annual savings of $301,136 on a cost of $45,000.

Lower Parking Costs

The cost of one parking space is about $4,000 for a surface lot and between $20,000 to $40,000 for a single spot in a structure. The cost of a basic inverted U bike rack with a two-bike capacity is $150, or $75 per space. Many retail businesses are trading single on-street automobile parking spaces in front of their stores to 10-15 bike capacity bike corrals because it allows them to attract more customers.

Increased Sales

Convinced? Ready to make your business or workplace more bicycle friendly? Contact the staff at the Bike Fed to find out how we can help. If you want to take some steps on your own, we have provided a list of resources below.

Engineering

Education

Encouragement

Evaluation

Is Your Business Bicycle-friendly?

Make it official! Check out the benefits of a Business Membership and join the Bike Fed today.