Monadnock Alliance for Sustainable Transportation Helps Two Businesses Earn National Designation
KEENE, NH – Monadnock Alliance for Sustainable Transportation’s (MAST) Bicycle Friendly Community Subcommittee recently helped two businesses, the Keene Family YMCA and the Monadnock Food Co-op, earn a prestigious bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) certification from The League of American Bicyclists. According to the program organizer, the League of American Bicyclists, “Deserving businesses are recognized at the Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels…” based on their efforts to encourage bicycling employees, customers, and the community. Only one other business in New Hampshire currently holds this certification.
Drew Bryenton, MAST’s Bicycle Friendly Community Subcommittee Chair was involved in putting together the application. “Having local businesses receive the designation is a two for one!” said Mr. Bryenton. “The business earns the recognition for its bicycle related endeavors and in this case the City of Keene improves its standing as a Bicycle Friendly Community. In addition, we found that the process of applying for the designation was a valuable learning opportunity for any organization that is looking to improve its bicycle culture. Even if they do not earn a designation, they will receive beneficial feedback on areas for improvement.”
“We’re committed to becoming a stronger proponent of bicycling in our community,” said Michael Faber, Monadnock Food Co-op General Manager. “This designation affirms that commitment. Bicycling helps create a culture of wellness with our staff and customers, and contributes to our triple-bottom line .”
“The Y’s cause is to strengthen the foundation of our community,” said Hélène Mogridge, Keene Family YMCA Chief Executive Officer. “One of our areas of focus to accomplish our cause is Healthy Living. This designation shows our commitment to becoming a proponent of bicycling as a solution for sustainable transportation and to improve our community’s health and well-being.”
With the announcement of 82 new and renewing BFBs across the country, the Monadnock Food Co-op and Keene Family YMCA join a growing list of 1,314 local businesses, government agencies, and Fortune 500 companies leading the way to transform transportation, health and wellness for the betterment of U.S. workers and local communities. Requirements of the designation include incentives, programming and amenities to enable and inspire more people to ride bikes.
“Business owners and employers across the country are looking for simple, straightforward ways to build their companies, do right by their workers and customers and contribute positively to their local communities,” says Executive Director Bill Nesper of the League of American Bicyclists. “Boosting participation in bicycling achieves all of that and more, and BFBs such as the Monadnock Food Co-op and Keene Family YMCA are wonderful models of that success. We congratulate this latest class of business leaders for recognizing that one of the oldest and easiest forms of transportation still generates significant economic and societal rewards today.”
BFB businesses have access to a variety of tools and technical assistance from the League to become even more bicycle-friendly. To apply or learn more about the BFB program, visit the League online at www.bikeleague.org/business. An interactive map of nationwide awardees is available at www.bikeleague.org/bfa/awards. Opportunities are available during 2019 for organizations that may be interested. The Spring 2019 application deadline is February 20, 2019 and the Summer 2019 deadline to apply is June 12, 2019.
About the Bicycle Friendly America Program
To learn more about building a Bicycle Friendly AmericaSM, including the Bicycle Friendly CommunitySM (BFCSM), Bicycle Friendly StateSM (BFSSM), Bicycle Friendly BusinessSM (BFBSM), and Bicycle Friendly UniversitySM (BFUSM) programs, visit www.bikeleague.org/BFA.
The League of American Bicyclists has been leading the movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone since its founding in 1880. It advances its work by actively listening to and learning from diverse stakeholders, defining standards, sharing best practices, and engaging communities in practical solution-building. Through its nearly 20,000 individual members, the League helps build a powerful, unified voice for change.
About Monadnock Alliance for Sustainable Transportation
The Monadnock Alliance for Sustainable Transportation (MAST) is a coalition of organizational and individual members working to implement sustainable transportation solutions in the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire. MAST recognizes the broad impacts that the region’s transportation system has on individuals and communities – everything from jobs to cost of living to health and beyond: www.mastnh.org and www.facebook.com/MASTNH. Since its inception, Southwest Region Planning Commission has provided staff support to the group through support from the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.
Contact
Drew Bryenton, MAST