The League of American Bicyclists Announces New Belgium Brewing as a Platinum Bicycle Friendly Business

 

Washington, DC - March 05, 2009 – The League of American Bicyclists is proud to announce New Belgium Brewing is named as a platinum level Bicycle Friendly Business and is one of the 34 new BFB award winners. This is the second time BFB winners have been announced since the program's inception in 2008 when the League announced the first 13 designees.

“We’re delighted to highlight New Belgium and the ways in which they are getting more people on bikes,” stated League President Andy Clark. “In today’s challenging economic climate, businesses with healthy, happy and productive employees are going to be the most competitive and the most sustainable – the Bicycle Friendly Business program recognizes some of the best examples of this in practice.”

The BFB program recognizes socially responsible businesses that promote healthy, happy, and green workplaces and provides a road map to become even more bicycle-friendly in the years to come. “Businesses across the nation are rising to the challenge of reducing their carbon footprint and improving the health of their employees - we are excited to be able to provide a roadmap to help achieve both these goals, and to recognize those companies that are leading the way," said Clark.

“It’s an honor to be recognized at the League’s highest platinum level rating,” said New Belgium spokesman, Bryan Simpson. “As a brewery founded on a bike ride through Belgium, we do bike advocacy from Tour de Fat to Team Wonderbike because it’s an important part of who we are and how we want to manifest on this planet.”

Bicycle Friendly Businesses are corporations, organizations, nonprofits and associations that weave bicycling into their business culture and give employees and customers the opportunity to be active stewards of their personal and environmental health through bicycling. When bicycling is infused in an office or company culture, great things happen: reduced health care costs; more productive employees; improved worker and customer; satisfaction; smaller carbon footprint; and increased corporate social responsibility.

Applying as a BFB is easy and free. Applicants receive technical assistance from the League staff as well as tools to evaluate and assess their bicycle friendliness through the application process. The BFB application is available online at www.bicyclefriendlybusiness.org.

And no wander New Belgium goes Platinum, here's another event sponsored by New Belgium...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


The Fort Collins Bike Co-op will be showing the movie, Ayamye, at New Belgium Brewing Wednesday, April 8th at 7 PM as a fundraiser event for their Ghana Project and the internationally renowned, Village Bicycle Project (VBP).  VBP’s Director and one of the subjects of the film, Dave Peckham, will be present to discuss his experiences in Ghana first hand and offer a Q&A to audience members.  Admission is $10 and includes a silent auction on a few bikes and miscellaneous objects of desire, as well as great door prizes, featuring a grand prize of a Breezer Freedom 3-speed bike. 

Ayamye is an inspiring documentary that follows not only the shipment of recycled bicycles to Ghana, but also the resolve of the human spirit and how the simplest of solutions can make a dramatic impact on the lives of a resourceful people.  The Village Bicycle Project partners with organizations such as Bikes Not Bombs and our own FC Bike Co-op to collect and redistribute bicycles to less developed areas such as Ghana in West Africa.  Through its mission of Building Community Through Bicycling, the Fort Collins Bike Co-op, which offers an array of bike-related services to the public, has been amassing bikes to be re-purposed through the VBP for over a year and will pack a shipping container to be sent over in May of this year. 

The FC Bike Co-op is also conducting a “Spring Cleaning” bike drive Saturday April 11th from 10 AM - 6 PM at their 222 Laporte location to help build on their collection to ship to Ghana.  The drive focuses primarily on adult bikes, but will put any bike related donations to best use.
For more information on the Fort Collins Bike Co-op Ghana Project visit: www.fcbikecoop.org <http://www.fcbikecoop.org>; and for information on Village Bicycle Project or Ayamye go to: www.ghanabikes.org <http://www.ghanabikes.org>.  Or, contact Riley Phipps, Ghana Project Coordinator, at Ghana@fcbikecoop.org <mailto:Ghana@fcbikecoop.org>.


Contact Info:
Riley Phipps
Ghana Project Coordinator
runninlikethewind@gmail.com <mailto:runninlikethewind@gmail.com>
970-215-6942



"Roll Into Spring"

March

• 3/4 - Innovative Transportation Projects - Drake Center - 7-9pm.
  
• 3/9 - Diamond Peaks Mountain Bike Patrol Season Kick-Off - at New Belgium Co. 6:30pm to 8:30pm - If you like to mountain bike, build trails, and want mountain biking to remain a viable activity in the region come check out DPMBP.
  
• 3/11 - Bike Lunch Talk - at Downtown Home State Bank (downstairs) 12pm to 1:30pm - Bring a lunch and join an open and friendly discussion about bicycling in Fort Collins.
  
• 3/14 - St. Patrick's Day Bike Parade - 10am to 12pm - Join the celebration and bike in the parade! Wear your finest green apparel and show off your Irish pride.  Meet at Cache Bank and Trust on Mountain Ave. at 9:45am. 
  

April

• 4/3 - FC Bike Library season kickoff - at Old Town Square 11am to 2pm - Celebrate the season opening of the Bicycle Library. 
  
• 4/8 - Bike Lunch Talk - at Downtown Home State Bank (downstairs) 12pm to 1:30pm - Bring a lunch and join an open and friendly discussion about bicycling in Fort Collins.
• 4/11 - Women's Bike Maintence Clinic - at REI (4025 S. College Ave.) 1pm to 2:30pm -
• 4/15 - Bike to School Day! - - Whether you are in Elementary School or College,  ride your bike to school today. 
  
• 4/18 - Spring Warm Up Rides hosted by Fort Collins Cycling Club - - fccycleclub.org
• 4/22 - Ride for the Earth Day - at CSU Lory Student Plaza 10am to 3pm -
  
• 4/26 - Bike Clinic for Kids Ages 13-17 - Northside Aztlan Community Center 10am to 1pm -
  
• 4/29 - Resources for Bicycling in Fort Collins - at Drake Center (802 W. Drake) 7pm to 9pm - Check out 09' bikes, meet local bike advocacy groups, get bike commuter tips, bike prizes, helmet giveaways, and general bike info.
  

May

• 5/8, 5/9 & 5/10 - USA Cycling Collegiate Nationals - at - fccyclingfest.com
• 5/9 - CSU GSSE Community Ride - 7am to 11am - Three different routes are offered including 22, 42, and 62 mile rides around Fort Collins.  All rides leave from the First National Bank in Downtown Fort Collins.  To learn more or register visit fccyclingfest.com.
  
• 5/13 - Mother Day Family Tour - at - rollingspokestours.com
• 5/13 - Bike Lunch Talk - at Downtown Home State Bank (downstairs) 12pm to 1:30pm - Bring a lunch and join an open and friendly discussion about bicycling in Fort Collins.
• 5/23 - Edible Urban Garden Tour - at - Find out where the most beautiful edible gardens are in Fort Collins. This is not just a bike ride. This is a lesson in gardening unlike others we've seen.
  
• 5/30 - Fossil Creek Park Bike Festival - at 11am to 4pm - Kids' bike games, food, bike rides, local bike info, music, and more...