WASHINGTON, D.C. – The League of American Bicyclists is proud to recognize 39 new and renewing Bicycle Friendly Businesses (BFBs) and four Honorable Mentions in its latest award round. This brings the total number of Bicycle Friendly Businesses nationwide to 1,192, joining a nationwide network of employers committed to making bicycling safer, easier, and more joyful for their employees, customers, and the broader community. BFBs can earn Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum status based on their efforts, and must renew periodically to ensure their efforts towards better bicycling are sustained over time.
“Bikes mean business, and Bicycle Friendly Businesses are proving it,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. “When businesses support biking, they’re investing in healthier employees, more engaged customers, and stronger communities. Bicycle Friendly Businesses are leading by example, showing that making biking safer and more accessible isn’t just good for individuals—it’s a catalyst for thriving local economies.”
List of all Fall 2024 Awards + Honorable Mentions | List of all Current BFBs
This round of awards underscores how Bicycle Friendly Businesses are leveraging local investments in bicycling to attract more foot (and pedal) traffic while improving community well-being — a win-win for local riders and business owners alike.
For example, Willmar Lakes Area Convention & Visitors Bureau in Minnesota saw their award level increase to Silver for their work to transform Willmar into a bicycling destination by investing in trail maps, signage, a bike share program, and events like the annual Mayor’s Bike Ride—all of which have boosted local tourism.
“Personally for our business, biking and trails are incredibly important to the success of tourism in our county. Before we started talking about biking 12+ years ago, there was no biking in our communities. Since then, we have a Bicycle Friendly Community, Bicycle Friendly Businesses, a Bike Share, trail improvements, maps, new trails, a planned trailhead improvement, a mountain bike facility, bike and pedestrian plans and many more items. As an organization, we have led this charge and the awareness of biking has significantly improved,” shared Beth Fisher, Willmar Lake’s Executive Director.
This bike tourism model is a trend growing across the nation, where an influx of revenue from out-of-town visitors helps a region thrive economically while also creating access to better biking for locals.
Another key trend in this round is the rapid expansion of Bicycle Friendly Businesses in specific regions, where a combination of healthy competition and cooperation have fueled momentum. In particular, Fayetteville, AR, and Fitchburg, WI, stand out with four and five new BFBs, respectively. In New Hampshire’s tri-town area, three new businesses earned the designation, while Arlington, VA, welcomed two new and one renewing BFB. Clusters of Bicycle Friendly Businesses are working together to make their efforts even more impactful — notably, BFBs in Fitchburg, WI recently joined forces, pitching in thousands of dollars in an ongoing push to convince the city to install a new bikeshare station in the popular mixed-use district of Uptown Fitchburg.
In a similar spirit, National Landing Business Improvement District (BID), a mixed-use business district in Arlington, VA, received a renewed Silver BFB award (formerly under the name Crystal City BID) for its continued commitment to making bicycling a key part of its community identity. Along with an expansive celebration of National Bike Month to encourage more people to ride each May, National Landing BID staff also play an active role in reviewing and supporting updates to the Crystal City Bike Network Plan to ensure that its infrastructure continues to evolve in support of safe and accessible biking. “Our community members have thanked us many times for advocating for their safety and offering innovative bike-themed events,” said Matthew Jones, Mobility Manager at National Landing. “We are committed to a safe and accessible bike community, not only for our employees but for the broader community as well.”
This investment from business leaders into community mobility reflects a broader trend in this round of Bicycle Friendly Business awards—a wide range of industries are recognizing the benefits of supporting bicycling. Bicycle shops and nonprofits were the most common awardees in this round, but business districts, government agencies, and retail businesses also had a strong presence. The variety of awardees includes breweries, real estate firms, architecture and planning companies, and even a place of worship—demonstrating that businesses of all kinds can play a role in fostering a more Bicycle Friendly America for all.
The League of American Bicyclists invites organizations of all sizes and industries to apply for the next round of Bicycle Friendly Business awards. The next application deadline is March 20, 2025. Learn more at bikeleague.org/business.
About the League Of American Bicyclists
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 200,000 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.
About the Bicycle Friendly Business Program
Bicycle Friendly Business awards reflect local leaders’ ongoing work to build better places to bike and evaluate those efforts as part of a national movement. Each of the five levels of the Bicycle Friendly Business award – diamond, platinum, gold, silver, and bronze, plus an honorable mention category – provides a clear path for businesses to continuously improve. Visit bikeleague.org/business to learn more about the BFB program.
