PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2023
Eric Trull, (407) 569-8993
Focused on Perception, Policy, and Practice, BWCF leads the way in Central Florida Cycling!
Orlando, FL — Today, the League of American Bicyclists recognized Bike/Walk Central Florida with a Platinum Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) award, earning it a place alongside over 1,500 businesses across the country contributing to the movement to build a more Bicycle Friendly America and joining an elite group of just three other Platinum businesses in the state of Florida.
“This round of awardees features shining examples of current and aspiring Bicycle Friendly Businesses working in tandem to boost the number of places in their community where traveling by bike is not only possible but encouraged,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. “We hope that more businesses, nonprofits, public agencies, and other organizations will continue to build off one another’s efforts to improve bicycling and employ this holistic approach to building a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone.”
Bike/Walk Central Florida joins a total of 1,547 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. Orlando tops the leaderboard in the number of BFBs per city for this round, with 13 Orlando-based organizations earning awards, accounting for 20% of the Fall 2022 BFB cohort. Orlando tops the leaderboard in the number of BFBs per city for this round, with 13 Orlando-based organizations earning awards, accounting for 20% of the Fall 2022 BFB cohort.
“Orlando has been hard at work transforming the City Beautiful into the City Bikeable — a world-class, economically vibrant, sustainable city with multi-modal transportation options for residents and visitors alike,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “The Bicycle Friendly Business program highlights the partnerships needed to make such a city a reality. We’re proud that Orlando can lead by example and delighted to be one of the hundreds of cities across the U.S. making infrastructure investments at the municipal level, supported by local businesses that welcome and celebrate their employees and patrons that arrive by bike.”
Bike/Walk Central Florida aims to give its staff and the larger community the tools to make educated decisions on where and how to ride safely and enjoyably. From guided rides like the annual BIKE 5 event to their interactive route planning regional trail map, BWCF encourages bicycling as an easy option for transportation and provides amenities such as indoor bike parking and showers in its offices, as well as incentives such as Sunrail fare reimbursement to link together longer trips for staff.
“Achieving the Platinum award and national recognition as a Bike Friendly Business is a great motivator to increase our efforts within our workplace and within the community!” said Bike/Walk Central Florida Marketing Manager Eric Trull. “As we continue to expand our bicycle-focused programs across Central Florida, we now have another tool in our toolkit to advocate for other organizations and employers to make the improvements necessary to become a Bicycle Friendly Business themselves, magnifying our message to their staff and customers!”
As part of the BFB network, Bike/Walk Central Florida 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: decreased stress, increased productivity, lower overhead with reduced parking costs, improved health, and more!
To learn more about the BFB program, or to apply, visit the League online at bikeleague.org/business.
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.
Since 1880, the League of American Bicyclists has been people-powered, with a goal to make bicycling safer and easier as a means of transportation and recreation. Today, the League continues to improve lives and strengthen communities through bicycling. We are more than 200,0000 members and supporters strong with more than 1,000 state and local advocacy groups and bike clubs as well as thousands of businesses, universities, and communities together leading the movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. Learn more at www.bikeleague.org.
About Bike/Walk Central Florida
BWCF is a 501(c)(3) formed in 2010 with a mission to make communities more walkable, bikeable, and rollable. Focusing on advocacy, education, and policy changes, BWCF is working to normalize walking and biking, striving towards a connected active-transportation network that is safe, equitable, and accessible, encouraging people of all ages and abilities to bike and walk more in their community!
BWCF’s efforts span several programs and projects to support its vision to transform Central Florida into a premiere biking and walking community. They:
- Facilitate the Healthy West Orange Trails Connection, formed by the Foundation for a Healthier West Orange, accelerating the implementation of projects that support walking, cycling, and wellness activities.
- Coordinate the annual BIKE 5 event promoting safe bicycling routes and enhanced multi-use trails throughout Central Florida.
- Administer the Best Foot Forward for Pedestrian Safety program, the largest grassroots coalition in the country, reducing serious pedestrian injuries and fatalities.
To learn more, go to BikeWalkCentralFlorida.org.
# # #
Featured photo taken on March 25, 2022 at the City’s Bike to Work Day where Bike/Walk Central Florida was named “Champions” for their effort in promoting the event, staff in attendance, safety webinars attended, and miles ridden through the workplace spring Love to Ride Challenge!
