Bicycles are good for business, good for Cleveland, and good for you!

It's no coincidence that business districts with excellent bicycle infrastructure are also some of the most financially successful and least vacant. Businesses thrive when people feel comfortable enough to bike up, lock up, and walk in. This is especially true for employers who embrace bicycle commuting as a viable alternative for their employees. Cyclists like to frequent businesses they identify as bike friendly, and prospective & current employees will view your company more favorably if you take a forward approach to integrating bicycles into your company culture. If you are one of these companies, Bike Cleveland can help identify you as a "Bicycle Friendly Business" and provide you positive exposure for your commitment. Or, if you appreciate the positive impact, and are ready to make some changes - we can help you get moving in the right direction.

Some things to consider:

• People on bikes spend more money at local businesses per month than people in cars because they make frequent return trips; businesses gain "regulars."
• Personal cost saving of riding for transportation means cyclists have more disposable income; increasing their consumer purchasing power.
• Employers who encourage their staff to ride with bicycle friendly policies and work places attract high-quality employees.
• Cycling as part of an active lifestyle promotes a healthy workforce who use less sick days and reduces healthcare costs for employers.

Becoming A Bicycle Friendly Business In Cleveland

Being bike friendly includes many factors that are important to the cycling community.  Secure parking options for your customers and visitors, plus facilities for your employees to conveniently store their bicycle, clothes, and gear during the workday are key. Having incentives for your staff and customers to leave the car behind can have a great impact. Becoming a Bike Cleveland Business Member and/or sponsoring our initiatives is a part as well. We recognize that your business (and it's budget) are unique, and there are many ways to approach the goal of being bicycle friendly.

The ideas noted above are the theme involved in joining a supportive and diverse network of Cleveland businesses that recognize the potential cycling poses for employee health, corporate sustainability, and economic growth by attracting and retaining talent.  The work involves building on your company's commitment and getting you recognition on a national scale through a process of meeting the standards set by the League of American Bicyclists. A growing number of area businesses are joining this list, and we're ready to help you get there, too.

The process aims to assist businesses with the “4 Es” of what makes for a bike friendly retail or office environment:

Engineering:
The hardware of bike friendliness. We’ll help you figure out how to fit bikes and bikers into the office. Whether its bike racks or towel racks, we’ll suggest some of the industry’s best practices for integration into your business, and recommend the necessary equipment to make your establishment accessible for bikes.

Encouragement:
The support system for people to try biking. Inspire them. Build HR policy to incentivize commuting by bike. Sponsor or promote any number of rides or events in Cleveland to let employees know that it’s OK to get out and ride. Consider adding cycling options into your existing events.

Education:
The knowledge necessary for confident pedaling.  You can do it and your co-workers can, too.  We can help by providing the tricks, tips, knowledge and skills needed with our printed materials or on-site classes.

Evaluation:
Just how bike friendly is your workplace? We’ll can help develop a plan for you to build metrics for your business, set goals, and take action to achieve them.

To get things rolling, we take stock of your parking amenities, policies, culture, and other factors to see where you are on the "bike friendly" continuum.  If your come up short, we can give you some direction on how to improve. If you are ready to take this first step, enhance your business and help make Greater Cleveland a better community, please contact Jason Kuhn at jason@bikecleveland.org

 

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Bike Parking Consulting Services

Bike parking and bike amenities are fast becoming a necessary amenity for modern businesses that prioritize accessibility, sustainability, and community benefit. It's good for your tenants, customers, your bottom line, and the planet! As authorized dealers of Dero Bike Racks, Bike Cleveland provides services for purchasing and siting high quality bike racks and bike rooms.

Learn more about bike parking services.