OAKLAND, CA (BRAIN) — Nutritionals brand GU Energy, retailer Sports Basement of Walnut Creek and Kaiser Oakland Medical Center were this year's winners of the East Bay Bicycle Coalition's Bike Friendly Business Awards.
The companies will be honored at an event May 9 in Oakland.
GU, based in West Berkeley, won in the organization's small business category. The company's staff bike commuter program awards bike commuters with $20 a month and free day off work for every size months' of bike commuting. GU has a bike room with company bikes that employees are encouraged to use during the day instead of their cars, as well as a bike repair station coupled with a bike mechanic subsidy for repairs.
GU’s president Brian Vaughn regularly bikes to work and participates in rides.
Sports Basement Walnut Creek
Sports Basement won in the medium-sized business category.
"Not only do they provide a knowledgeable, full service bike shop that caters to all experience levels, but they actively participate in and foster the growth of local bicycle advocacy group Bike Walnut Creek," the Coalition said.
The Coalion cited the store for encouraging staff to bike through bike-focused employee events, a large discount on bike labor, accessories, free bicycle rentals, as well as event reimbursement when employees participate in any kind of cycling race or event.
“Sports Basement has been amazing in their support,” said Danny Milks, from the Bike Walnut Creek advocacy group. “They support our advocacy efforts with a meeting place, free drinks and snacks, discounts, free gift cards, supplies, advertising and print marketing for us. Sports Basement has gone above and beyond the normal bicycle friendliness to employees and customers. They make a big difference in the local scene.”
Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center was honored in the Coalition's large-business category. The center has consistently sponsored the Coalition's Bike to Work Day and has a long-term partnership with the EBBC’s Bicycle Safety Education Program. The EBBC regularly holds free classes for the public at the Kaiser Oakland location as well as one-hour lunch workshops for employees. “Employees enjoyed the Day 1 Urban Bicycle Safety Class so much that they requested that we host a Day 2 class,” said Jackie Stiasny, the commuter services program coordinator.
